Detecting Tuberculosis

A TB detection rat can check 100 sputum samples for TB in as little as 20 minutes. This would typically take a lab technician up to 4 days using conventional microscopy.

WHY TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis is the biggest global killer from an infectious disease after COVID-19. There were approximately 10.6 million new global cases of tuberculosis per year and around 1.3 million people died from the disease in 2022. In most sub-Saharan African countries only about half of the patients with active tuberculosis are diagnosed.

HOW WE'RE DETECTING TUBERCULOSIS

APOPO researches TB detection rats as a “failsafe” - examining clinic-tested human sputum samples delivered from partner clinics in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Any rat-suspect samples are rechecked using internationally recognized methods and if TB is confirmed, APOPO notifies the clinic. Our research indicates that APOPO is improving clinic detection rates by 40%.

STORIES: CHARYA

"When I was playing in my fathers fields I climbed a tree to hide from my brother. When I ...

Claudi

6 year old Claudi was very sick but his local clinic couldn’t detect the cause...

Staff story: Abu Chinarine

Abu Chinarine was an APOPO deminer. He risked his life every day to help rid his community...

Abdul Ramadhani

Abdul struggled with his disease not knowing what was making him ill, until APOPO found he...

TB DETECTION RESEARCH - WHERE WE WORK

APOPO works within government health systems. APOPO’s TB research programs aim to support national DOTS centers in their fight against tuberculosis.

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APOPO in South Sudan
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