Scientists at the Technion – The National Institute of Technology in Haifa have developed a method for diagnosing tuberculosis. A type of skin patch equipped with sensors detects the scent patterns of the affected person. According to the scientists, early detection could reduce the number of tuberculosis deaths.
Tuberculosis is considered one of the most common infectious diseases. It is caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs. Infection is easily transmitted through sneezing or coughing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ten million people worldwide contract the disease each year, and 1.5 million die from it.
Early detection is crucial
Tuberculosis is generally curable; however, infections often go undetected because laboratory techniques are required. But a sensor patch should now make a "very accurate" diagnosis possible within an hour, the Israelis wrote in the journal "Advanced Science" in early June. The sensor, based on nanomaterials, detects so-called volatile organic compounds of the tuberculosis bacterium on the skin.
Biochemist Rotem Vischinkin, who was involved in the development, explained to the online newspaper "Times of Israel" that the great advantage of the method is its ease of use: no sophisticated medical infrastructure is required – only a computer for data analysis. The scientist hopes that the technology will reach the market in the coming years.
