The team of researchers led by Prof. Jaya Sivaswami Tyagi from the Department of Biotechnology at AIIMS, developed a highly sensitive diagnostic test for pulmonary TB and pleural TB. The diagnostic test uses a DNA aptamer that shows a high binding affinity towards a TB antigen. Sputum samples are used for diagnosing pulmonary TB, while pleural fluid is used for diagnosing pleural TB.
The sensitivity of this test for pulmonary and pleural TB is 94% and 93% respectively, and the specificity is 100% for pulmonary TB and 98% for pleural TB. The results of this study were published in the journals- ACS Infectious Diseases and Analytical Biochemistry. Source: Science Chronicle
