Last week, APOPO participated in the 2024 Union World Conference on Lung Health, held in Bali, Indonesia, from November 12-16, 2024. The event brought together experts, researchers, and policymakers from around the globe to discuss the latest advancements in lung health and strategies for combating tuberculosis (TB). Representing APOPO, Dr. Tefera Agizew, Head of Tuberculosis, and Dr. Negussie Beyene, Deputy Head of TB and Ethiopia Program Manager, shared the organization’s innovative research and engaged with key stakeholders in the global TB community.
Recognition for Breakthrough Research in Pediatric TB
This year, APOPO’s research paper, titled “Increased Tuberculosis Case Detection in Tanzanian Children and Adults Using African Giant Pouched Rats,” was highlighted as one of the Top 25 TB papers of 2024 at the Child and Adolescent TB Working Group meeting, held on November 11, 2024, as part of the pre-conference activities in Bali. The event, affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO), attracted more than 500 attendees, including leading scientists and experts in pediatric TB.
The paper presented findings on the effectiveness of using African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) to detect TB in children, a group that is frequently underdiagnosed due to the low bacterial loads in their samples. The study showed that these trained rats could identify TB cases that traditional diagnostic methods often miss. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to improve case detection among children, helping to address a critical gap in TB control efforts.
Building on Contributions from 2023
At the 2023 Union World Conference on Lung Health, held in Paris from November 15-18, 2023, APOPO showcased its pioneering work on the integration of African giant pouched rats for TB detection. The research demonstrated how these trained rats could accurately detect TB, even in samples with low bacterial loads, which are often missed by conventional diagnostic methods. This innovative approach highlighted the potential for integrating animal olfactory capabilities into TB diagnostics, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for low-resource settings.
APOPO’s presentations highlighted that the rats are particularly effective in identifying TB in children, a group traditionally challenging to diagnose, even with low germ loads of the disease.
Children, often presenting less pronounced symptoms and lower bacterial loads in sputum samples, pose a significant challenge in TB detection using conventional diagnostic methods. The HeroRATs, with their exceptional olfactory capabilities, have demonstrated a higher sensitivity in sniffing out TB bacteria in pediatric samples.
Engaging with Global TB Leaders
Throughout the 2024 UNION conference, Dr. Agizew and Dr. Beyene actively engaged with global health leaders, sharing insights from APOPO’s research and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Their discussions highlighted the importance of innovative diagnostic approaches to enhance TB detection and treatment, particularly in underserved and vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead
APOPO remains committed to advancing TB detection through evidence-based innovations and strategic partnerships. The recognition of its research at the Union World Conference on Lung Health marks an important achievement, demonstrating the impact of APOPO’s work in the global fight against TB.
