A blood test to detect tuberculosis

An Antigen-Detection Blood Test for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10654614

This study is working on making a blood test for tuberculosis (TB) better and easier to use, so it can more accurately tell if someone has active TB or not, helping people at risk in different countries.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10654614 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance a blood test designed to detect tuberculosis (TB) by improving its accuracy and usability. The team will add specific peptides to the test to increase its sensitivity and specificity, using blood samples from patients with and without TB. They will validate the improved test's performance against standard diagnostic methods and evaluate its effectiveness in distinguishing active TB from other conditions in patients at risk across multiple countries. The ultimate goal is to meet the World Health Organization's criteria for TB screening and diagnosis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for tuberculosis, including those with symptoms or known exposure to TB.

Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with active tuberculosis or those without any risk factors for TB may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more accurate and reliable blood test for diagnosing tuberculosis, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing blood-based tests for TB, but this approach aims to refine and validate a novel assay.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions coinfectionco-infection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.