Mycobacterium tuberculosis volatiles for diagnosis of tuberculosis by Cricetomys rats
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Date
2012-07-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in regions with limited resources depends on microscopy with insufficient
sensitivity. Rapid diagnostic tests of low cost but high sensitivity and specificity are needed for better
point-of-care management of TB. Trained African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys sp.) can diagnose
pulmonary TB in sputum but the relevant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific volatile compounds
remain unknown. We investigated the odour volatiles of Mtb detected by rats in reference Mtb, nontuberculous
mycobacteria, Nocardia sp., Streptomyces sp., Rhodococcus sp., and other respiratory tract
microorganisms spiked into Mtb-negative sputum. Thirteen compounds were specific to Mtb and 13
were shared with other microorganisms. Rats discriminated a blend of Mtb-specific volatiles from
individual, and blends of shared, compounds (P ¼ 0.001). The rats’ sensitivity for typical TB-positive
sputa was 99.15% with 92.23% specificity and 93.14% accuracy. These findings underline the potential
of trained Cricetomys rats for rapid TB diagnosis in resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa where
Cricetomys rats occur widely and the burden of TB is high.
Description
Tuberclosis, 2012; 92 (1): 535-542
Keywords
Mycobacterium volatile markers, Early tuberculosis diagnosis, African giant pouched rats, Olfactory detection