Developing new tests for diagnosing tuberculosis in young children with HIV

Childhood ‘Omics’ and Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived BiOsignatures (COMBO) for TB diagnosis in high HIV prevalence settings

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10915461

This study is looking for a new way to test for tuberculosis in young children, especially those with HIV, by using blood samples instead of sputum, to help doctors find out if they have TB more easily and accurately.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10915461 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating non-sputum based diagnostic tests for childhood tuberculosis (TB), especially in young children who are also infected with HIV. Since these children often cannot produce sputum and have a lower presence of TB bacteria, the study aims to discover biomarkers that can accurately detect TB using blood samples. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques to identify specific proteins from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria and host responses that indicate TB infection. The goal is to develop a reliable diagnostic tool that meets international health standards for accuracy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old, particularly those living with HIV who are at high risk for tuberculosis.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have HIV may not benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and accessible TB diagnostics for young children, potentially reducing mortality rates in this vulnerable population.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using biomarker-based approaches for TB diagnosis, but this specific method is innovative and aims to address a critical gap in pediatric care.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, 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.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.