Overview
FASTEST-TB - Development and Clinical Evaluation of Fast Tests for Tuberculosis Diagnosis 
Time period:
2007-03-01 - 2010-02-28
Instrument:
Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP)
Call:
FP6-2005-LIFESCIHEALTH-7

It is widely accepted that rapid, cost-effective diagnosis of high sensitivity and specificity is a pre-requisite for the prevention and control of tuberculosis, a global disease in humans killing more than 3 million people annually. Methods and devices currently in use do not meet these requirements. New strategies are urgently needed for combating the problems of TB diagnosis.We have recently developed first generation detection tests using a novel, high speed device for quantitative measurement of antigens in sputum and urine of tuberculosis (TB) patients. The device also enables simultaneous measurement of antigens and antibodies within 20 minutes. The main objectives of this proposal are 1. to identify novel antigens using genomic and proteomic approaches, 2. to purify sufficient quantities of antigens and raise antibodies 3. optimise immobilisation conditions for the specific antigens and antibodies on different carriers, 3. manufacture and evaluate different fast tests using approximately 6000 clinical specimens (sputum, saliva, serum, urine) from TB patients at study sites in Asia, Africa, America and Europe. In our opinion, such tests and devices would be a major breakthrough in the early diagnosis and prevention of tuberculosis. In this project, the Coordinator (LIONEX, an SME) in co-operation with a WHO center and lung hospital in Germany and additional expert scientists from low-resource, TB-endemic countries (India, Turkey, Nigeria, Mexico) shall evaluate the clinical potential of antigen and antibody detection using the high speed, cost-effective POC tests, with which results can be obtained on site within 20 min. Finally, the project also aims at developing TB-HIV dual antibody detection POC Fast tests. The outcome of this project shall lead to new diagnostic tests which will be inexpensive and fast providing results within 15-20 minutes, will be performed on site and shall not require any complicated or expensive instrument.
Countries
Germany
Belgium
Turkey
India
Nigeria
Mexico
Last updated on 2011-08-18 at 19:12