Researchers from the UK and the US have developed a more precise method of detecting tuberculosis using positron emission tomography.
Tuberculosis, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, remains a widespread disease globally. Current diagnostic methods include bacterial culture of sputum or positron emission tomography (PET) scans using the common radiotracer FDG to detect lung inflammation. Radiotracers are radioactive compounds that emit radiation for detection by scanners and conversion into a 3D image.
However, current diagnostic methods have limitations. Sputum tests may show negative results before tuberculosis is fully treated, leading patients to prematurely stop treatment. Inflammation detected through PET scans may indicate other conditions besides tuberculosis and can persist even after the bacteria are eliminated, prolonging unnecessary treatment.
To address these issues, researchers from the Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxford and Pittsburgh universities, and the National Institutes of Health in the US developed a new radiotracer specific to tuberculosis. This radiotracer, called FDT, is absorbed by living tuberculosis bacteria in the body and uses a carbohydrate only processed by the tuberculosis bacteria.
The new radiotracer offers several advantages, including not requiring specialized hospital equipment beyond standard radiation checks and PET scanners. It can be easily produced using enzymes developed by the research team, making it accessible in low- and middle-income countries with limited healthcare infrastructure, where over 80% of tuberculosis cases and deaths occur.
The FDT radiotracer allows for precise monitoring of active tuberculosis in a patient’s lungs using PET scans, providing crucial information on the disease’s status. Preclinical trials have shown no adverse effects, paving the way for human trials to further validate its effectiveness.
The development of this new radiotracer marks a significant advancement in tuberculosis detection, offering a more accurate and accessible method for monitoring the disease’s activity in patients. This innovation has the potential to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the global burden of tuberculosis, especially in resource-limited settings where the disease is most prevalent.