Genetic Signature for TB Discovered

Researchers have discovered the genetic signature for tuberculosis (TB) in the blood of children, according to a new study. Experts say that this discovery creates an opportunity to develop a test for "quick and easy" diagnoses of the disease.

According to a study recently  published in The New England Journal of Medicine, out of more than 30,000 different genes in the human genome, an analysis of a mere 51 specific genes can lead to the detection of TB in the blood of children an estimated 80 percent of the time.

To determine this, researchers from Imperial College of London analyzed the genetic information of more than 2,800 children in Malai, Kenya, and South Africa who had been admitted to a hospital for symptoms commonly associated with TB.

Genetic samples were taken from the blood from all the participating patients. Then, after each child had been either been diagnosed with TB or cleared of a TB diagnoses, the researchers investigated what genetic signatures were common among the TB victims but not expressed in the genes of the non-TB patients.

According to the study, these 51 genes can be tested to determine their state of activation and the results can then be broken down to a simple TB risk score. According to the study, the score correctly diagnosed more than 80 percent of the study participants -- matching the official diagnoses.

Having a general model for this TB risk score diagnoses, is the first step in developing a fast and efficient test that can accurately tell physicians if their patient has TB.

"What we now need is collaboration from biotechnology and industrial partners to turn these findings into a simple, rapid and affordable test for TB that can be used in hospitals worldwide," Prof. Michael Levin said in an Imperial University press release.

The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine on May 1.