Point-of-Care TB Testing: A Game Changer in Africa?

In many developing countries, tuberculosis (TB) often goes undetected or is diagnosed too late. This delay leads to unnecessary suffering, deaths, and further spread of the disease. One promising solution is decentralized testing, which brings accurate TB diagnosis closer to where people live. The Truenat MTB assays are a prime example of this approach. They offer point-of-care testing, making TB diagnosis more accessible and affordable. However, the overall cost and effectiveness of these assays in finding more TB cases have not been fully explored. To shed light on this, a study was conducted in Tanzania and Mozambique. It compared the costs and effectiveness of using the Truenat MTB assays with the standard hub-and-spoke Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra testing. The study found that in Mozambique, the cost per person starting treatment within a week was lower with decentralized testing. In Tanzania, the costs were nearly the same for both methods. When looking at treatment initiation within two months, hub-and-spoke testing was cheaper in both countries. However, the additional cost of decentralized testing per extra person starting treatment within a week was relatively low. The study also found that the cost-effectiveness of decentralized testing depends heavily on how often the equipment is used. In other words, the more tests that are run, the more cost-effective the decentralized approach becomes. This is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to implement decentralized TB testing. It is also crucial to note that the societal perspective was used in this study, which means it considered the costs and benefits to society as a whole, not just the healthcare system. TB is a major health issue in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa. It is caused by a bacterium that usually attacks the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with active TB in their lungs cough, sneeze, or spit. It is a curable and preventable disease, but it requires timely diagnosis and treatment. This is where decentralized testing comes in. By bringing TB diagnosis closer to where people live, it can help to reduce the delay in diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately, the spread of the disease. However, it is not just about the cost. The effectiveness of decentralized testing in finding more TB cases and starting more people on treatment is also crucial. The study found that decentralized testing was cost-effective compared to hub-and-spoke testing in both Mozambique and Tanzania. This means that it is a good use of resources, as it provides good value for money. But it is important to remember that cost-effectiveness is just one factor to consider. Other factors, such as the impact on TB transmission and the acceptability of the testing to the community, are also important.