LAUSR

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health emergency and claims the lives of more people annually than any other infectious disease. TB disproportionately affects people living in poverty, with 95% of cases and 98% of deaths occurring in developing countries [1]. In high income countries, TB is now concentrated in populations who originate from high burden countries and in socially vulnerable and excluded groups, including homeless people, drug and alcohol users and prisoners. These populations often experience poor access to health services and are at increased risk of delayed diagnosis, onward transmission, drug resistance, severe disease and preventable death. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay can rapidly diagnose tuberculosis, but sputum samples cannot be safely processed unless in a lab. The septum sample pot allows safe handling of sputum and has allowed a mobile TB unit to run the assay in community settings. http://ow.ly/HOA130mS6LG