A tiny-particle blood test to find tuberculosis in children
M. tuberculosis exosome detection for pediatric TB diagnosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11090430
This project tests a very small-volume blood test that looks for tiny TB-derived particles (exosomes) to help diagnose and monitor TB in children, including those with HIV.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11090430 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will look for tiny membrane particles called exosomes released by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in small amounts of blood using a sensitive nanoplasmon-enhanced scattering (nPES) laboratory method. They will first analyze stored blood samples and clinical data from a prior pediatric HIV study and then enroll a new group of children suspected of TB in areas with high HIV prevalence. The team will compare exosome signals to clinical diagnoses to see if the approach can detect TB cases that are missed by standard respiratory tests and if levels change with treatment. They also plan to explore whether the method can be adapted into a point-of-care format that works with very small blood volumes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children suspected of having pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB—particularly young children and those living with HIV—who can provide small blood samples are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adults, people without suspected TB, or those unable to provide blood samples would not be the intended beneficiaries of this pediatric-focused diagnostic work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a quick, non-sputum blood test to help diagnose TB in young children and track treatment response, especially for those who cannot produce sputum or who have HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Early proof-of-concept work showed that nPES detection of M. tuberculosis exosomes distinguished TB cases from controls with promising sensitivity and specificity, but larger pediatric cohorts are needed to confirm these results.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LACOURSE, SYLVIA — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: LACOURSE, SYLVIA
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus