In Tanzania, where tuberculosis remains a critical health challenge, two organizations are making remarkable strides in detection and treatment. Apopo, a Belgian-founded charity, has pioneered the use of African giant pouched rats to screen TB samples, while Mkuta provides vital community health support and treatment access.
Apopo’s innovative program has analyzed over 900,000 samples since 2007, identifying more than 30,000 TB cases that conventional testing missed. The rats, which can grow up to 90cm long, are trained from four weeks old to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis through their acute sense of smell. Their accuracy is impressive – research shows they correctly identify TB in at least 82% of cases compared to standard clinical tests.
The program’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness are striking. A rat can screen hundreds of samples within minutes, costing just 90 pence per sample compared to up to £12 for molecular tests. The success has led to expansion plans, with a new laboratory opening in Moshi and potential programs in Sierra Leone and Angola.
“One untreated person can infect 10-15 people, multiply that by 24,000 people correctly treated, who had been missed through regular tests. These were not just samples, these were lives saved,” said Dr. Joseph Soka, manager at Apopo’s laboratory, in an interview with The Guardian.
Working alongside Apopo, Mkuta’s volunteers play a crucial role in community outreach and patient support. They identify potential TB cases, facilitate treatment access, and help combat stigma. The combined efforts of both organizations, along with other government and NGO programs, have contributed to a 40% reduction in TB incidence in Tanzania since 2015.
Read the fascinating article by Peter Muiruri from December 18, 2024 in The Guardian: Cheap, smart and efficient: how giant rats are transforming the fight against TB
Watch this video to learn how these herorats detect TB:
Watch this video to learn more about Mkuta:
Related Articles
Progress and Challenges in the Global Fight Against Tuberculosis
Dr. Atul Gawande, assistant administrator for global health at USAID and renowned surgeon and author, highlights recent advancements in tuberculosis prevention and treatment, emphasizing the need for sustained global efforts to combat this deadly infectious disease.
Fighting TB and Stigma in the Slums of Lagos
Discover Zainab Danjaki’s inspiring journey as she battles tuberculosis in Lagos’ slums. From facing threats to changing lives, her passionate efforts are breaking stigmas and bringing hope to a community in need.
Canadian Physicians Bring Global Health Insights Home
Drs. Mahli Brindamour and Ryan Meili, two Saskatoon-based physicians, spent six months volunteering in Lesotho with Partners in Health. Their experience treating tuberculosis patients in challenging conditions offered valuable lessons for their work in northern Saskatchewan.