Detecting early tuberculosis on chest scans

Imaging signatures of early tuberculosis

['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11221401

Researchers will use CT scans, chest X-rays, and AI to find imaging patterns that predict which people without TB symptoms will develop active tuberculosis.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorRUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11221401 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be part of work that combines CT scans from past and new household-contact studies to build a detailed imaging signature of very early TB changes. The team will also improve field-ready chest X-ray computer-aided detection tools using AI techniques like transfer learning and image-to-image training. Clinical and epidemiologic information will be added to the imaging models to make predictions more accurate. The overall goal is a practical toolbox to help diagnose early TB and guide who should get preventive treatment to stop spread.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have been in close contact with someone with TB or are otherwise at high risk but do not yet have TB symptoms.

Not a fit: People who already have active, symptomatic, culture-positive TB or those with no recent exposure are less likely to benefit from this early-detection work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier diagnosis and targeted preventive treatment to reduce transmission and long-term illness from TB.

How similar studies have performed: Some AI and chest X-ray CAD tools have improved detection of active TB, but using CT radiomic signatures and transfer learning to predict progression before symptoms is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.