A blood test to find tuberculosis in Bolivian children
Diagnostic Innovations for Pediatric Tuberculosis in Bolivia
A new CRISPR-based blood test will be used to look for TB bacterial DNA in children, including those living with HIV, to help detect tuberculosis earlier and less invasively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088200 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child join, researchers will use a CRISPR-based blood test that searches for tiny fragments of TB DNA circulating in the blood. They will analyze stored and newly collected blood samples from children with symptoms, their household contacts, and children living with HIV and compare those results to standard TB tests and clinical follow-up. Prior adult studies showed high accuracy and small pediatric pilots were promising, so this larger effort (about 200 children) aims to confirm how well the test works in Bolivian children. Participation typically involves giving a blood sample, sharing medical history, and answering questions about symptoms and household exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children in Bolivia who have symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis, especially those living with HIV, and their close household contacts are the main candidates for this work.
Not a fit: Children without TB symptoms, those already on effective TB treatment, or people outside the study regions in Bolivia are unlikely to benefit from joining this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a faster, less invasive blood-based test that detects TB in children more reliably than current methods.
How similar studies have performed: Early adult studies showed high sensitivity and specificity (~93%) and small pediatric pilots were encouraging, but larger pediatric validation is still new.
Where this research is happening
New Orleans, United States
- Tulane University of Louisiana — New Orleans, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oberhelman, Richard a — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Oberhelman, Richard a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.