Project Lead(s): Madhukar Pai
Issue
Sensitive, accurate, low-cost, rapid diagnostics are urgently needed for detecting tuberculosis (TB).
Solution
The aim of the project was to develop a rapid, point-of-care lateral flow test to detect pleural TB using the biomarker interferon-gamma (IFNg).
Outcome
The results were not promising, as IFNg levels in pleural fluid were found to be lower than what could be expected from the published literature.
As a result of these findings, a decision was made not to pursue further development of the test.
The work was published in PLOS ONE and a bank of close to 100 specimens has been developed at McGill University that could be used for further biomarker research in future.