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Major breakthrough in TB diagnosis
DNA
Scientists used genome techonology to isolate different strains of TB.
Scientists use genome sequencing to isolate strains of TB

Researchers in the UK have made a world-first breakthrough in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB).

According to BBC News, scientists at the Universities of Oxford and Birmingham have managed to isolate different strains of the disease using genome sequencing.

This means that patients will receive a diagnosis much faster, instead of waiting months for treatment.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said that the breakthrough "will save lives".

While incidents of TB in the UK have fallen in recent years, there are still some 6,000 cases reported each year. 

The illness is associated with health inequality, affecting people in deprived communities seven times more than people in the least deprived areas.

Scientists say they can identify the DNA strains in different samples in less than a week. As well as allowing patients to begin recovery sooner, this will also reduce the chance of infection spreading.

“We’re able to provide information on the species of organism and the drugs to which it may be resistant if it’s TB,” explained consultant microbiologist Dr Grace Smith.

This is the first time anyone in the world has applied genome technology on such a large scale, according to Public Health England.

The announcement comes as a new study shows that efforts to control the disease could be severely hampered by the rise in drug-resistant bacteria.

Published in The Lancet, the study found that one in five global cases of the disease is now resistant to at least one major treatment drug.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.