Stellenbosch University is spearheading the PRECISE-TBM project, an international research initiative aimed at developing rapid, user-friendly diagnostic tests for childhood tuberculous meningitis. The project, which has secured over R37.5 million (€2 million) in funding from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, seeks to replace expensive and slow laboratory-based diagnostic methods.
Addressing Urgent Diagnostic Barriers
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is recognised as the most severe manifestation of childhood tuberculosis and can result in death or permanent neurological disability in approximately half of affected children if not treated early. The current diagnostic process is often hindered by the requirement for costly hospital scans and complex laboratory infrastructure, which frequently leads to dangerous delays in patient care.
The nice thing about the tools that we are developing is that, unlike at the moment, where you have to use very expensive scans, expensive laboratory techniques before diagnosing, the tests that we’re going to be evaluating in the project are based on simple technology. High technical expertise is not required. It’s easy to perform.
Project coordinator Professor Novel Chegou stated that the aim is to deliver three distinct diagnostic tests capable of providing results within 15 minutes. These tools are being engineered for use within primary healthcare settings, allowing for more immediate clinical intervention in high-burden regions across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Building On Decades Of Research
The PRECISE-TBM initiative is the latest development in a long-standing research partnership involving Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, which began with a retrospective cohort study in 2008. The university has previously focused on identifying disease-specific proteins to improve detection, with this latest grant marking a significant effort to transition these laboratory findings into practical solutions for frontline health workers.
While initial reports have suggested the potential for home-based use, clinical experts emphasise that the primary focus remains on enhancing the diagnostic capacity of primary healthcare facilities. The development team expects these advancements to significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier diagnosis in communities where resources are otherwise limited. The clinical evaluation of these diagnostic tools is slated to continue as part of the broader, multi-year research timeline.