Core Insights - Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with over 10 million cases reported annually, and China ranking third in new TB cases worldwide [1][3] - A new high-sensitivity and high-specificity TB testing reagent has been developed, which can quickly and easily detect TB nucleic acids from tongue swabs, with a cost of less than $1 [1] - Innovative short-course treatment options for TB have reduced treatment costs by over 90% and achieved a cure rate exceeding 80% for multidrug-resistant TB [3] Group 1: Tuberculosis Prevalence and Impact - Over 10 million people are affected by TB globally each year, with 1.3 million deaths attributed to the disease, nearly double the deaths caused by HIV/AIDS [3] - In 2022, China had an estimated 748,000 new TB cases, accounting for over 7% of the global total, ranking third worldwide [3] Group 2: Innovations in TB Detection and Treatment - The newly developed TB testing reagent can identify 5 to 6 cases of TB per 1,000 individuals in high-incidence areas in China [1] - The treatment duration for drug-resistant TB has been shortened from 1.5-2 years to 6-9 months, while the treatment for regular TB has been reduced to 4 months, making it more accessible [5] Group 3: Challenges and Future Directions - The emergence of drug-resistant TB poses significant challenges, necessitating accelerated research and development of innovative anti-TB drugs [4] - New drug development must focus on improving convenience, reducing side effects, enhancing patient compliance, and targeting specific pathogens effectively [4]