HeroRATS for Tuberculosis Elimination

 HeroRATS for Tuberculosis Elimination

Why in News?

A Tanzanian non-profit organization is conducting research to train African giant pouched rats, also known as HeroRATS, to detect Tuberculosis (TB). These rats exhibit remarkable accuracy, particularly in resource-poor regions. This research could potentially accelerate TB detection in countries like India.

Key Findings of the HeroRATS Research

• HeroRATS: These rats have an exceptional sense of smell due to their highly sensitive olfactory receptors, enabling them to detect diseases like TB.
• Training Process: HeroRATS are trained to detect TB in sputum samples (thick mucus from the lungs). They can screen 100 samples in just 20 minutes, a stark contrast to the 3–4 days required by traditional methods. The results are then confirmed using Ziehl-Neelsen and fluorescent microscopy.
• Improved Detection Rates: HeroRATS have doubled the detection rate of TB in children compared to conventional testing. They were six times more effective at detecting TB in patients with a low bacterial load compared to those with a higher concentration of bacteria. Traditional microscopy often fails to detect TB in these cases.
• Notable Past Achievement: Magawa, another Tanzanian-born African giant pouched rat, was trained to detect landmines and alert handlers for safe removal.

How HeroRATS Can Aid India’s TB Elimination Efforts

• Potential Benefits for India: HeroRATS can offer fast, cost-effective TB screening, especially for children and smear-negative cases, aiding in early diagnosis and reducing transmission. This could play a significant role in alleviating India’s TB burden.
• Integration into NTEP: Introducing rat-based TB detection into the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) through a phased approach, starting with high-TB burden states, could enhance case detection efforts.
• TB in India: India has the highest TB burden, with two deaths occurring every three minutes from TB. The NTEP, under the National Health Mission, aims to make India TB-free by 2025, ahead of the global target of 2030. From 2015 to 2023, TB incidence declined by 17.7%, while TB-related deaths fell by 21.4%.

Key Facts About Tuberculosis

• About: TB is a bacterial infection (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air. It is preventable and curable with antibiotics. Approximately 25% of the global population is infected, but only 5–10% develop symptoms.
• Risk Factors: A weak immune system, diabetes, malnutrition, tobacco, and alcohol use.
• Diagnosis: The WHO recommends rapid molecular tests (e.g., Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra). Traditional methods struggle to detect TB in cases with low bacterial loads, especially in children who have difficulty producing sufficient sputum for testing.
• Prevention: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is administered to infants to prevent TB.
• Treatment: TB treatment typically lasts 4-6 months. Incomplete treatment can lead to drug-resistant TB.
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB): Resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin (common TB medicines), MDR-TB can be treated with more expensive alternatives.
• Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB): A more severe form of MDR-TB with limited treatment options.
• TB and HIV: People living with HIV are 16 times more vulnerable to TB, and TB is a leading cause of death among them.

Macromatic Species Used for Disease Detection

• Macromatic Species: These species have an advanced sense of smell compared to microsmatic species with a reduced olfactory ability. Notable macromatic species include:
  • Dogs: With 125–300 million olfactory receptors and a specialized organ called Jacobson’s organ, dogs can detect diseases like Parkinson’s and potentially lung cancer and diabetes.
  • Ants: A French study found ants can detect cancer cells within three days using chemical cues, offering a faster and cheaper alternative to traditional diagnostics.
  • Honeybees: Possessing highly sensitive olfactory antennal lobes, honeybees can detect lung cancer with 88% accuracy using synthetic biomarkers (artificial human breath containing cancerous odors).

These discoveries highlight the emerging field of bio-detection, where the natural instincts of animals are harnessed to aid medical advancements.

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