Tuberculosis (TB) and Its Global Impact

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most lethal diseases worldwide, with over 10 million new cases annually. India accounts for approximately 28% of these cases, with an estimated 500,000 deaths each year, averaging one death per minute. Despite medical advancements, early detection of TB, especially in remote areas, remains a challenge.

Challenges in TB Detection

• Traditional Diagnostic Techniques:
  • Often fail in early-stage detection, particularly in children and low bacillary load cases.
  • Many cases go undetected, leading to further disease spread.
  • Slow and limited diagnostics, especially in rural areas, create additional burdens.
• Government Initiatives:
  • National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims to eradicate TB in India by 2025.
  • Despite reports of a decrease in incidence and TB-related deaths, elimination remains challenging.

Innovative Approaches: Detection by Rats

APOPO, a non-profit based in Tanzania, trains African giant pouched rats (HeroRATS) to detect TB in sputum samples. These rats exhibit remarkable accuracy and speed, detecting TB cases that traditional methods often miss.

• Training and Testing Process:
  • Rats undergo rigorous training starting at 2-3 months old for up to 9 months.
  • Trained with operant conditioning, they signal positive TB samples by holding their nose in a scent hole.
  • Able to test 100 samples in 20 minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods.
• Study Findings:
  • Increased TB detection rates in children and adults in Tanzania.
  • Detected six times more cases when bacillary load was scanty.

Other Animals in Disease Detection

Animals like dogs, ants, and honeybees are being explored for disease detection due to their advanced olfactory senses.

• Examples:
  • Dogs: Can detect chemical signals indicating diseases like Parkinson’s.
  • Ants: Used for rapid cancer detection through chemical cues.
  • Honeybees: Capable of detecting lung cancer with 88% accuracy.

Potential for Implementation in India

With high rates of undiagnosed TB in India, integrating HeroRATS could significantly aid detection efforts.

• Expert Opinions:
  • TB specialists see potential for HeroRATS as a secondary diagnostic tool.
  • A phased approach in high TB-burden areas could ensure success.
• Future Prospects:
  • Discussion to introduce rats to India was interrupted by the pandemic but holds promise for accelerating diagnosis and saving lives.