Work

Use of trained African giant pouched rats as a predictor of clinical diagnosis of pulmonary TB

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: For over a decade, trained African giant pouched rats have been employed in detecting missed pulmonary TB (PTB). However, the relationship between rat-positive results and subsequent clinical PTB or extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) has not been previously reported. This report highlights the use of rat-positivity as a predictor for PTB clinical diagnosis and treatment among presumptive TB. Treating physicians were 1.39 times more likely to clinically diagnose and treat rat-positives than rat-negatives: 12% versus 9%, respectively, odds ratio=1.39, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.84 . No difference was observed among EPTB.

Source: Public Health Action

DOI: 10.5588/pha.25.0010

Authors: J. Soka, S. Mwimanzi, C.D. Fast, G. Mwesiga, N. Edward, M. Stephen, R. Kondo, C. Cox, N. Beyene, T.B. Agizew

Institutions: Sokoine University of Agriculture, University of Antwerp, Armauer Hansen Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4413999787

FWCI: 0.732

Cites: 2

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10