UC TB Innovation for Impact Collaboratory

🚨 Satellite session at #UnionConf2025!
“Transforming TB detection with tongue swab-based molecular testing”
🗓️ Nov 19 | 8–9AM | Copenhagen

Beyond sputum: tongue swabs + near-POC molecular tools.

unionconf2025.abstractserver.com/programme/#/...

#TB #GlobalHealth #Diagnostics

Accelerating cough-based algorithms for pulmonary tuberculosis screening: Results from the CODA TB DREAM Challenge AbstractBackground. Open-access data challenges can accelerate innovation in artificial-intelligence (AI)-based tools. In the Cough Diagnostic Algorithm fo

Can a smartphone-recorded cough help detect #TB? The CODA TB DREAM Challenge shows promise: AI + clinical data reached 73.8% specificity at 80% sensitivity across 7 countries. Read more: academic.oup.com/ofid/advance...

Preferences for tuberculosis diagnostic test features among people tested for tuberculosis: a multicountry discrete choice experiment Individuals accessing tuberculosis services across high-burden settings universally value low to no cost tests, high diagnostic accuracy, and rapid result availability. These findings underscore the n...

New Lancet study in Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Uganda & India:

People tested for #TB prioritize diagnostics that are
• Low-cost
• Accurate
• Deliver results in 15 minutes

Findings show need to align WHO TPPs with patient preferences.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Plasma proteomics for biomarker discovery in childhood tuberculosis - Nature Communications In this work, through a comprehensive proteomics approach, the authors identified host plasma protein biosignatures that could distinguish tuberculosis (TB) disease in children.

We need new biomarkers to improve TB diagnosis in children. In the COMBO study, we performed a comprehensive plasma proteomic analysis across 4 countries and found several protein signatures that met the WHO target accuracy for a TB screening test: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#tbsky #idsky

Scale-up of 99DOTS for tuberculosis treatment supervision in Uganda: An interrupted time series analysis Background Digital adherence technologies like 99DOTS are being scaled-up for tuberculosis (TB) treatment despite limited evidence of their effectiveness and concerns about accessibility. We evaluated...

Can digital adherence tools improve #TB care at scale? We evaluated 99DOTS in Uganda during national scale-up. High uptake (87%), no harm to outcomes, but equity in access remains key. Read more: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1... #tuberculosis

Parallel use of low‐complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests on respiratory and stool samples with or without lateral flow lipoarabinomannan assays to detect pulmonary tuberculosis disease in children - Olbrich, L - 2025 | Cochrane Library Select your preferred language for Cochrane reviews and other content. Sections without translation will be in English.

New @cochranecollab reviews: combining TB tests for children and people living with HIV can boost sensitivity and could be beneficial in high burden settings, data for new #WHO recommendations
Full reviews: bit.ly/45nlHCz and bit.ly/4laK2QH
#TB #HIV #ChildHealth #GlobalHealth #EndTB

Big news: @WHO approves 6 CAD tools for TB detection on chest X-rays—boosting case finding in high-burden settings. Proud that #R2D2_TBnetwork data contributed to the report. #EndTB #DigitalHealth #TBscreening #GlobalHealth
createsend.com/t/d-F03FD74C...

Diagnostic accuracy of swab-based molecular tests for tuberculosis using novel near point-of-care platforms: A multi-country evaluation Background: Swab-based molecular platforms that enable testing of both sputum (via swabs swirled in sputum) and tongue swabs are emerging as a promising option for more accessible and lower cost molec...

Our new multi-country study evaluates swab-based molecular tests for #TB, showing strong accuracy using both sputum and tongue swabs. Near point-of-care platforms like MTB Ultima and MiniDock MTB could help enable universal molecular testing. www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

In our study of 2,904 adults with #TB symptoms across five high TB-burden countries, CRP-based screening had 84% sensitivity and 61% specificity. Though CRP didn’t meet minimum diagnostic targets overall, its accuracy varied by setting and subgroup. www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/...

The Accuracy of the Uganda National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program diagnostic algorithm and the World Health Organisation treatment decision algorithms for childhood tuberculosis: A retrospective an... Author summary In this study, we assessed and compared the accuracy of the 2017 Uganda National TB and Leprosy Program (NTLP) algorithm with the 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) Treatment Decision...

Our study compared Uganda’s #TB treatment decision algorithm for children with the WHO's. We found these TDAs can help diagnose more TB cases, but could also lead to overtreatment. Better tests are needed to confirm TB in children. dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
#Tuberculosis #ChildHealth #Uganda #WHO

Despite being preventable, #TB affects thousands in the US. A major barrier to TB elimination is the lack of Medicare coverage for TB infection screening and testing. Our team describes how this policy gap affects US TB elimination efforts. rdcu.be/efcBa #TBPrevention #Medicare #CTB

The integration of health equity into policy to reduce disparities: Lessons from California during the COVID-19 pandemic Racial and ethnic minoritized groups and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities experience longstanding health-related disparities in the United States and were disproportionately affected throug...

California's health equity-driven approach during #COVID-19, using the Healthy Places Index, provided key insights into addressing disparities in testing, cases, and mortality. Learn how the state used data to guide policy and prioritize vulnerable communities: dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

Predicted choice and acceptability of regimens for tuberculosis preventive treatment among people living with HIV in Uganda – a discrete choice experiment Abstract Introduction Little is known about how people living with HIV would choose if offered different tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) regimens, and under which conditions they would accept ...

A study in Uganda among people living with HIV found newer short-course regimens could drive #tuberculosis preventive treatment acceptance from high to nearly universal. #TB www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

Our study in Uganda explores how social factors affect #TB diagnosis completion. Barriers like stigma, financial constraints, and limited support were identified. Integrating social and economic supports with clinical care is key. Read more: rdcu.be/edUmz

#Tuberculosis

The impact of social protection interventions on treatment and socioeconomic outcomes of tuberculosis-affected people and households in low income, high burden settings: A systematic review and meta-a... Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death due to infectious disease worldwide. Social protection interventions can benefit TB-affected households. We conducted a systematic review ...

Social protection boosts TB treatment success! Our team's new study found that those receiving support had 2.23x higher odds of success. Read more: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1... #TB #HealthEquity #SocialProtection #GlobalHealth