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Funding awarded to develop rapid TB detector
“The impact of TB is devastating, so developing a rapid diagnosis method could be truly transformative” – Glyn Hewinson.
The new test could be quicker than PCR and microscopy testing.

A project to develop a new point-of-care TB detector for humans and animals that can produce a result within one hour has received almost £1.2 million in funding.

The project, led by Adrian Porch of Cardiff University and involving researchers from Aberystwyth University, has received the funding from UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The new technology is expected to be quicker than both PCR and microscopy testing and will be able to be used by healthcare workers, veterinary surgeons and farmers.

The interdisciplinary research team includes experts in veterinary medicine, microbiology, and microwave and photonic engineering.

Bovine TB continues to have a significant impact on cattle farms in the UK. Efforts to eradicate the disease through surveillance, diagnostic testing, badger culling and vaccination cost the UK government around £100 million per year.

TB also remains a major cause of death in humans worldwide. Around 10 million human infections are recorded each year, leading to around 1.8 million deaths annually.

Les Baillie, professor of microbiology at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University and co-lead on the project, said: “Tuberculosis is a particular problem for farmers in Wales who have seen bovine TB decimate herds across the country. Diagnosis of the early stages of infection is challenging due to the lack of rapid, accurate tests.

“To address this, we are working with colleagues from Aberystwyth University to advance the development of a real-time test capable to detecting the presence of the pathogen in clinical and environmental samples.”

Glyn Hewinson, Sêr Cymru research chair in the Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis at Aberystwyth University, added: “The impact of TB is devastating, so developing a rapid diagnosis method could be truly transformative.

“Eliminating the human TB epidemic by 2050 is a key UN Sustainable Development Goal, and the World Health Organization highlights the need for more effective rapid diagnostic tests as a critical step.”

Image © Shutterstock

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.