Genetic analysis techniques could be used to confirm mycobacterial infection – which may cause TB – within a couple of hours, Swiss researchers say.
They have unveiled the findings of a three-year project testing the impact of molecular diagnostic techniques.
The University of Zurich researchers say the techniques could replace the use of bacterial cultures to identify the nature of infections.
During the project they tested their detection technique on 6,800 patient samples.
They aimed to distinguish between mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterium.
If the test identified TB, further tests were performed to check for susceptibility to a range of TB drugs.
Researcher Dr Peter Keller said: "For patients and doctors, this long waiting period is an unnecessary test of their patience.
"By comparison, with molecular detection methods, most patients know after one or two days whether they have an infection with tuberculosis pathogens or with nontuberculous mycobacteria."
He added: "This also showed that the molecular-based method reliably predicts the culture-based resistance results. It is possible to obtain certainty much sooner of whether the therapy with standard medicines chosen is likely to be successful."
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