Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The annual number of new TB cases is around 8.8 million, and the number of deaths from TB is around 1.5 million. The number of infections by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been increasing in recent years. NTM symptoms can be similar to those caused by TB. It is critical to distinguish NTM infections from TB to determine the appropriate treatment because many NTM are resistant to ordinary antituberculous drugs. Definite diagnosis of TB is made by detecting M. tuberculosis from a clinical sample.

The results for the conventional detection method of the M. tuberculosis complex (including the niacin accumulation test) usually requires 4 to 8 weeks. Recently, a nucleic acid probe-based identification method has been developed as a tool for rapid detection of the M. tuberculosis complex. However, it requires cumbersome handling procedures, special instruments/equipment and skilled operators.

Capilia TB-Neo adopts an immunochromatography method, which can detect the MPB64 antigens specifically produced by the M. tuberculosis complex. Capilia TB-Neo is able to detect the M. tuberculosis complex in bacterial isolates specifically and with a high degree of sensitivity, and to provide rapid test results by a simple operation. No special instruments or equipment are required.