Rapid point-of-care detection of the tuberculosis pathogen using a BlaC-specific fluorogenic probe

Rapid diagnostic methods that can be applied in resource-limited settings are important in the fight against tuberculosis. Here, fluorogenic probes are described that are activated by BlaC — an enzyme secreted by tubercle bacilli. The probes have enabled detection in unprocessed human sputum of live pathogen in less than 10 min.