Core Viewpoint - A new high-sensitivity and high-specificity tuberculosis (TB) testing reagent has been developed by Zhang Wenhong's team, which can quickly and easily detect TB nucleic acids in tongue swabs, with a cost of less than $1 [3][5]. Group 1: Tuberculosis Overview - Tuberculosis remains a significant global public health issue, with over 10 million new cases and more than 1.5 million deaths annually, making it the leading infectious disease killer [3][5]. - The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a rise in TB diagnosis rates in 2023, with 8.2 million new confirmed cases, the highest since monitoring began in 1995, surpassing the 7.5 million cases in 2022 [3][5]. Group 2: Current Situation in China - China has transitioned to a medium TB incidence rate, but in 2022, there were an estimated 748,000 TB patients, accounting for over 7% of global cases, ranking third in the world [5][6]. - In Shanghai, the TB incidence rate is 20 per 100,000 people, indicating the need for continued efforts to eliminate the disease [5][6]. Group 3: Treatment and Prevention Strategies - TB is curable with standardized drug regimens, and prevention can be achieved through screening and vaccination [5][6]. - Zhang Wenhong's team has researched short-course treatment regimens, reducing the treatment duration for drug-resistant TB from 1.5-2 years to 6-9 months, making it accessible for impoverished regions [6].

Core Insights - Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health issue, with over 10 million new cases and more than 1.5 million deaths annually, making it the leading infectious disease killer worldwide [1][2] Group 1: New Diagnostic Development - A high-sensitivity and high-specificity TB diagnostic reagent has been developed by a team led by Zhang Wenhong, which can quickly and easily detect TB nucleic acids from tongue swabs [1] - The cost of this new diagnostic reagent has been reduced to less than $1, enabling screening in high-incidence areas where 5 to 6 TB patients can be identified per 1,000 people screened [1] Group 2: Global TB Statistics - The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an increase in global TB diagnosis rates, with 8.2 million new confirmed cases in 2023, the highest since monitoring began in 1995, surpassing the 7.5 million cases in 2022 [1][2] - Approximately 1.08 million people are estimated to be infected with TB globally, with about 25% of the world's population carrying the TB bacteria [2] Group 3: China's TB Situation - China has transitioned to a medium TB incidence rate, with an estimated 748,000 cases in 2022, accounting for over 7% of global cases, ranking third in the world for TB burden [2] - In Shanghai, the TB incidence rate is 20 cases per 100,000 people, indicating ongoing challenges in eliminating the disease [2] Group 4: Treatment and Prevention Efforts - TB is curable with standardized drug regimens, and prevention can be achieved through screening and vaccination [2] - Zhang Wenhong's team has researched short-course treatment options, reducing the treatment duration for drug-resistant TB from 1.5-2 years to 6-9 months, making it more accessible in impoverished areas [3] - The team aims to enhance treatment adherence and reduce drug resistance by introducing better treatment plans and AI technology for rapid identification of active TB cases [3]