A golden result for TB diagnosis
A gold electrode is modified to recognise antibodies present in infected blood South African scientists have devised an electrochemical technique that could provide a quick and easy diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). TB is a highly contagious disease and is often a secondary infection that causes death in many HIV/AIDS infected patients, particularly in south-east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Current diagnostic techniques involve culture analysis of phlegm from patients and usually take 4-8 weeks. This leads to delayed diagnosis and hinders prompt patient care, explains Kenneth Ozoemena from the...