Using giant african pouched rats to detect human tuberculosis: a review

dc.creatorPoling, A
dc.creatorMahoney, A
dc.creatorBeyene, N
dc.creatorMgode, G.
dc.creatorWeetjens, B
dc.creatorCox, c
dc.creatorDurgin2, A
dc.date2017-03-14T11:26:12Z
dc.date2017-03-14T11:26:12Z
dc.date2015
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-25T08:53:11Z
dc.date.available2022-10-25T08:53:11Z
dc.descriptionThe Pan African Medical Journal, 2015
dc.descriptionDespite its characteristically low sensitivity, sputum smear microscopy remains the standard for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in resource-poor countries. In an attempt to develop an alternative or adjunct to microscopy, researchers have recently examined the ability of pouched rats to detect TB-positive human sputum samples and the microbiological variables that affect their detection. Ten published studies, reviewed herein, suggest that the rats are able to detect the specific odor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB, and can substantially increase new-case detections when used for second-line TB screening following microscopy. Further research is needed to ascertain the rats' ability to detect TB in children and in HIV-positive patients, to detect TB when used for first-line screening, and to be useful in broad-scale applications where costeffectiveness is a major consideration.
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifier1937-8688
dc.identifierhttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1338
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/93471
dc.languageen
dc.subjectAfrican pouched rats
dc.subjectHuman tuberculosis:
dc.subjectDiagnosing tuberculosis
dc.subjectGiant african pouched
dc.titleUsing giant african pouched rats to detect human tuberculosis: a review
dc.typeArticle

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