Point-of-care assays for tuberculosis: role of nanotechnology/microfluidics

Biotechnol Adv. 2013 Jul-Aug;31(4):438-49. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.01.006. Epub 2013 Jan 26.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most devastating infectious diseases and its eradication is still unattainable given the limitations of current technologies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The World Health Organization's goal to eliminate TB globally by 2050 remains an ongoing challenge as delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of TB continue to fuel the worldwide epidemic. Despite considerable improvements in diagnostics for the last few decades, a simple and effective point-of-care TB diagnostic test is yet not available. Here, we review the current assays used for TB diagnosis, and highlight the recent advances in nanotechnology and microfluidics that potentially enable new approaches for TB diagnosis in resource-constrained settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Point-of-Care Systems*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*