Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are commonly inhaled by individuals without causing harm, but for those with underlying conditions, NTM infections can lead to lung-related symptoms resembling tuberculosis. Due to slow bacterial growth, diagnosing and treating NTM infections can be a lengthy process.
Tulane University researchers have introduced a CRISPR-based blood test for NTM infections, providing results within two hours. Described in a American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine paper, their assay demonstrated over 93% accuracy in identifying NTM-infected patients.
The blood test targets mycobacteria avium complex (MAC), a prevalent NTM type causing pulmonary disease. By detecting NTM DNA fragments in the bloodstream, this test offers swift insights into drug responses, expediting treatment planning compared to traditional culture-based methods.
With over 190 NTM species complicating diagnosis, the blood test's simplicity and speed offer a significant advancement. Unlike lengthy culture analyses, this test can be conducted in clinics without specialized equipment, potentially reducing diagnosis time from months to hours.
“NTM infection is highly underestimated, and due to the slow diagnosis of it, patients with NTM infection are not effectively treated,” said Bo Ning, senior author on the study. “Importantly, our blood test can analyze NTM DNA fragments in the bloodstream, thereby inferring a drug response, which is crucial for rapidly determining treatment plans, capabilities traditional diagnostic approaches cannot achieve.”