Tuberculosis detection by pouched rats: Opportunities for reinforcement under low-prevalence conditions.

Giant African pouched rats (Cricetomys ansorgei) have been employed successfully in two operational tuberculosis-detection projects in which they sniff sputum samples from symptomatic individuals who have visited tuberculosis clinics. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in this population is high, approximately 20% in the regions where the rats have been used. If the rats are to be used to screen individuals from lower-prevalence populations, their performance under such conditions must first be evaluated.

Reproducibility of African giant pouched rats detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: African pouched rats sniffing sputum samples provided by local clinics have significantly increased tuberculosis case findings in Tanzania and Mozambique. The objective of this study was to determine the reproducibility of rat results.

Methods: Over an 18-month period 11,869 samples were examined by the rats.