A new blood test to detect active tuberculosis disease.
Official title: Detecting active tuberculosis disease: a blood-based Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen detection asssay
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11112439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quick and reliable blood test to help diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV, making it easier to find and treat the disease sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 11, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $158,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI186827-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who may be at risk for active tuberculosis disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or are not at risk for tuberculosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a rapid and accurate blood-based test to diagnose active tuberculosis (TB) disease, particularly in individuals living with HIV. Current diagnostic methods are often sputum-based and may not effectively identify TB in patients with less common forms of the disease. By detecting a specific antigen associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in blood samples, the study aims to provide a more accessible and sensitive diagnostic tool. This could significantly reduce delays in treatment and improve health outcomes for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and timely diagnosis of tuberculosis, particularly for those living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in diagnostic methods for tuberculosis, this specific approach using blood-based antigen detection is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seifert, Marva — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Seifert, Marva
Related research
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-
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-
Air pollution and TB spread in Ugandan urban slums
This project explores whether exposure to air pollution makes tuberculosis more likely to spread within households in a crowded Ugandan slum.
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Air pollution and TB transmission in Kampala’s urban slums
This project looks at whether air pollution from PM2.5 makes tuberculosis spread more easily from infected people to their neighbors in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda.
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.