Early lung imaging signs of tuberculosis

Imaging signatures of early tuberculosis

['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11466425

This project builds computer-based CT and chest X-ray tools to spot early lung changes that may signal tuberculosis in people who don't yet have symptoms.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorRUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11466425 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If I'm someone exposed to TB but without symptoms, researchers will use CT scans and chest X-rays to look for subtle lung changes before illness appears. They will combine images from past and new household-contact studies to create a high-resolution radiomic signature that predicts who will progress to active TB. They will also improve field-ready chest X-ray computer-aided detection using transfer learning, image-to-image training, and by adding routine clinical and epidemiologic information. The goal is to produce practical tools to guide diagnosis and target preventive treatment to stop transmission.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have been in close contact with someone with active TB, even if they currently have no symptoms.

Not a fit: People who already have a confirmed active TB diagnosis or those without access to chest imaging may not receive direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

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

How similar studies have performed: Some AI chest X-ray tools and radiomic approaches have detected active TB, but using imaging to predict progression in asymptomatic people 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.