New Biosensor Detects Active Tuberculosis in One Hour

A research team from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has developed a novel biosensor for detecting active tuberculosis. The device significantly reduces diagnosis time, providing results in approximately 60 minutes compared to the several weeks required for conventional microbiological culture methods.

"Having tools for early and reliable diagnosis is important for curbing tuberculosis transmission," stated Dr. Isabel Caballos, a member of the research team.

How the Biosensor Works

The system is based on a nanoporous material loaded with a fluorescent molecule. This material is coated with an antibody specific to the MPT64 protein, which is secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis during an active infection.

When the target protein is present in a sample, it binds to the antibody. This interaction causes a structural shift, releasing the fluorescent compound and generating a detectable light signal, confirming the presence of the bacteria.

Performance and Validation

In validation tests using 20 cultures from respiratory samples of tuberculosis patients, the biosensor demonstrated promising results:

• 80% Sensitivity
• 90% Specificity

The device also showed high selectivity against proteins from other common respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Researchers report the biosensor has a very low detection limit.

"The biosensor detects active disease, unlike molecular techniques such as PCR that cannot distinguish between active, past, or latent infections," explained Professor Ramón Martínez Máñez.

Dr. Ana Gil reported the validation results from these initial clinical samples.

Global Health Context and Potential Impact

The development arrives at a critical time. The World Health Organization reported in 2024 that tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally.

The research team believes the device's design could address key diagnostic challenges in underserved regions.

"The device's simplicity, portability, and selective detection capability could make it useful in resource-poor countries where access to advanced techniques is limited," suggested Professor Elena Aznar.

Research Publication and Collaboration

The study detailing this biosensor was published in the scientific journal Talanta. The work was a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions: IDM-UPV, Universitat de València, UPV-IIS La Fe Joint Research Unit, CIBER-BBN, and Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe.