An international team of scientists announced on March 3 their development of a rapid and reliable method for detecting tuberculosis, one that is inexpensive and sensitive enough to be used in the field by health officers in developing countries. Called microscopic observation broth-drug susceptibility assay, or MODS, the test can quickly and cheaply detect tiny amounts of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus, as well as determine whether a particular strain of MTB is resistant to any drug. The study appeared in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

The sensitivity of the MODS assay, tested in Peru, compared well with that of other, more expensive and time-consuming methods. Said author Robert H. Gilman, a professor in the Department of International Health in the School of Public Health, "MODS is a rapid, inexpensive, sensitive and specific method for detecting MTB and identifying drug-resistant strains. It is particularly appropriate for use in developing countries burdened by significant infection rates and increasing numbers of multiple-drug-resistant cases."

Each year there are an estimated 8 million new cases of clinical tuberculosis, and 3 million deaths due to the bacillus. Most cases occur in developing, resource-poor countries, where the conventional tests for MTB are simply not feasible because of their high costs and equipment requirements.