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]

张文宏表示，在中国的结核病高发区，使用这种试剂筛查，每1000人中能发现五六位结核病患者，而这种试剂的成本已经降至不到1美元。 结核病的筛查有助于及时治疗结核病患者。而缩短治疗周期是控制结核病的一项重要应对手段。张文宏表示，通过开发创新的治疗手段，结核病短程治疗方 案目前价格已下降超过90%，并达到超过80%耐多药结核病的治愈率。 全球每年有超过1000万结核病患者，中国在全球结核病新发病例数依旧排在第三。"这意味着在传染病方面，我们还面临着巨大的鸿沟。" 9月22日，2025浦江论坛"未来健康：全球健康与发展论坛"上，国家传染病医学中心（上海）主任、复旦大学附属华山医院感染科主任张文宏最新透露，他 的团队已成功开发出一款高灵敏度、高特异性的结核病检测试剂，能够快速、简便地检测舌拭子中的结核核酸。 另据WHO数据预估，全球约有四分之一的人口已经感染结核杆菌，大约5%至10%的结核病感染者最终会出现症状并发展为结核病。在我国，2022年结核病 估计发病患者为74.8万例，占全球所有发病总数超过7%，位列全球第三。 以上海为例，结核病虽然低发，发病率为每十万人中20人，但这也表明要消除这些传染病还需付出很大的努力 ...