GENEVA - A new test to quickly diagnose drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis is being rolled out in four African countries this year.
The World Health Organization says the DNA-based test will revolutionize the treatment of patients with more dangerous forms of the disease.
WHO officials told journalists Monday that the new test cuts the diagnosis time from months to hours.
The southern African country of Lesotho will start using the $5 tests within the next three months. Ethiopia, Ivory Coast and Congo will follow before the end of the year.
Most countries won't be able to use the test for years, however, because it requires new labs and trained staff.
