Better tests to find and monitor tuberculosis
Evaluation of new diagnostics for incident, active and recurrent TB (ENDx-Tb)
This project aims to bring easier, faster TB tests to people in low-resource areas so active, new, and returning TB can be found and treated sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stellenbosch University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA) |
| Project ID | NIH-11002721 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your point of view, researchers are developing a set of TB tests designed for different health-care settings: simple, quick triage tests for clinics and more advanced laboratory tests for hospitals and reference centers. They will collect samples from people with possible TB, people with past TB, and people with latent infection, and follow some participants over time to see how well each test detects new, active, or recurrent disease. Some tests are being developed to predict who with latent infection is most likely to become sick so preventive treatment can be offered to those individuals. The work will be done in affected communities, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia, to make sure the tests work where care resources vary widely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with symptoms suggestive of TB, people with a history of TB, and people with latent TB infection who are at higher risk of developing active disease, especially those living near participating clinics in affected regions.
Not a fit: People without TB symptoms or those who do not live near participating study sites are unlikely to receive direct benefit from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tests could help find TB earlier, focus preventive treatment on those most at risk, and tailor therapy to improve cures while reducing unnecessary treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Molecular and lab-based TB tests have improved detection before, but point-of-care triage tools and tests that predict progression or guide personalized treatment are less proven and represent newer approaches.
Where this research is happening
Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA
- Stellenbosch University — Stellenbosch, South Africa (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walzl, Gerhard — Stellenbosch University
- Study coordinator: Walzl, Gerhard
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.