The African giant pouched rat can be trained to sniff out tuberculosis more accurately than most lab tests. So why is the medical profession still sceptical?In a small,hot room in a compound located in Tanzania’s lush southern highlands, one day in mid-December, and were three white-clad technicians,a glass-and-metal chamber and a large brown rat named Charles.
After being gently dropped into the chamber, Charles aimed his long snout towards the first of a series of 10 sliding metal plates in the chamber’s base. A technician swiftly opened it, and revealing a small gap. Charles sniffed at it and moved on. The gap was closed,and there was a clink as the next plate was yanked back. This time, Charles was gripped. He sniffed hard, or scratching at the metal,the five claws on each of his paws splayed with the pressure. The technician called out: “Two!”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com