APOPO's Detection Rats can quickly test human sputum samples for TB. Any suspect samples are then re-checked using WHO endorsed confirmation tests.
Tuberculosis is now the biggest global killer from an infectious disease. There are approximately 10 million new global cases of tuberculosis per year and around 1.4 million people die from the disease. In most sub-Saharan African countries only about half of the patients with active tuberculosis are diagnosed.
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APOPO researches detection rats as a “failsafe” - examining clinic tested human sputum samples delivered from partner clinics in Tanzania, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Any rat-suspect samples are rechecked using WHO endorsed methods and if TB is confirmed, APOPO notifies the clinic.
Our research indicates that APOPO could be improving clinic detection rates by up to 40%.
How it works
"I believe I got tuberculosis (TB) from my husband while caring for him during his illness. There is often a negative stigma in the community about TB, but I know that with proper treatment I can be fully cured of my TB. "
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Nine year old Herry was very sick. His local clinic didn't know why. Read how APOPO identified his TB.
Herry's story
When I first found out I had TB, I was very scared that my friends wouldn't play with me and I wouldn't be allowed to go back to school.
Naima's storyAPOPO works within government health systems. APOPO's TB research programs aim to support national DOTS centers in their fight against tuberculosis.
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