Research by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Mbeya has introduced a game-changing method of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in children by using urine and feces samples, offering new hope for more effective detection.
Dr. Barick Mtafya, Acting Manager of NIMR’s Southern Highlands Centre, shared these findings during the 25th Annual Pediatricians’ Conference held in Mbeya.
“This breakthrough addresses the challenges of diagnosing TB in children, whose underdeveloped immune systems make conventional methods less effective.
By using urine and feces samples, we’ve achieved better outcomes,” Dr. Mtafya explained.
Typically, sputum is used for TB diagnosis, but young children often struggle to produce it.
The successful use of alternative samples has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to release new guidelines encouraging their adoption in healthcare settings.
Dr. Mtafya highlighted that of the 85,000 TB cases recorded in Tanzania, 16% are among children aged 0 to 15 years.
Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth Shayo, a lead researcher at NIMR, noted that studies conducted by the institute have been instrumental in improving national health guidelines, policies, and service delivery.
This innovative approach offers a lifeline for children, enabling earlier detection and treatment of TB, thereby improving health outcomes in vulnerable populations.