Better diagnosis for swollen lymph nodes in people with HIV in Malawi
Innovations in diagnosis for lymphadenopathy across HIV Centers of Excellence in Malawi
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11128707
New quick diagnostic approaches will try to find whether people with HIV and swollen lymph nodes in Malawi have treatable lymphomas or other lymphoproliferative diseases.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11128707 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I join, the team will focus on people living with HIV who develop swollen lymph nodes soon after starting HIV treatment because these problems can be missed or treated as tuberculosis by default. They plan to study barriers to getting lymph node biopsies and high-quality pathology in Malawi and to introduce faster diagnostic technologies that can be used at HIV Centers of Excellence. The project builds on ongoing lymphoma surveillance at Kamuzu Central Hospital and aims to make diagnoses quicker and more accurate so treatment can start sooner. Over the project period they will enroll patients from regional centers and compare new diagnostic methods to current care pathways.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people living with HIV in Malawi who have persistent or growing swollen lymph nodes, especially those newly starting antiretroviral therapy or with negative TB tests.
Not a fit: People without lymphadenopathy, people without HIV, or those living far from participating Malawian centers are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to quicker, more accurate diagnoses of treatable lymphomas and related disorders and reduce preventable deaths among people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Clinic-based lymphoma work in Malawi has shown lymphoproliferative disorders are common and can be treated when identified, but rapid point-of-care diagnostic approaches are relatively new and not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PAINSCHAB, MATTHEW SCOTT — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: PAINSCHAB, MATTHEW SCOTT
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, Cancers