Finding better ways to diagnose tuberculosis in young children in Malawi.
Official title: Tuberculosis in Malawian children under five years old: exploring non-invasive diagnostic strategies and the impact of malnutrition on treatment pharmacokinetics
Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11230626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for better ways to find tuberculosis in young children under five in Malawi, especially those who are very malnourished, to help improve their treatment and care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $186,447 |
| NIH project number | 7K01TW012922-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11230626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under five years old in Malawi who are suspected of having tuberculosis and may also be experiencing malnutrition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside of Malawi or those who are not under five years old may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing non-invasive diagnostic methods for tuberculosis (TB) in children under five years old in Malawi, particularly those suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The project aims to understand how malnutrition affects the treatment of TB and to improve detection strategies that can be implemented in low-resource settings. By combining mentorship and practical experiences, the research will enhance the candidate's ability to lead clinical studies that address these critical health issues in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols for tuberculosis in malnourished children, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing non-invasive diagnostic methods for TB, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vonasek, Bryan — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vonasek, Bryan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Urine color test to check tuberculosis drug levels in children and adults
This project uses a simple urine color test to see whether children and adults with TB are getting enough of key TB medicines like rifampin.
-
Treatment options for isoniazid-resistant TB: safety, effectiveness, and drug levels with a standard regimen
This grant studies whether a standard TB treatment plan that includes levofloxacin is safe and effective for people with isoniazid-resistant TB in Peru.
-
How lung cavities and granulomas affect TB inflammation and drug levels
This project looks at how damaged lung areas in people with pulmonary tuberculosis influence inflammation and whether antibiotics reach those spots.
-
Urine color test to monitor TB medicine levels in children and adults
This project uses a simple urine color measurement to check how well TB medicines, especially rifampin, reach the body in children and adults.
-
Evaluating a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis
This study is looking at a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis to see how well it works and how safe it is for patients, so we can find better options for people dealing with this tough infection.
-
Improving treatment for isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis
This project tests whether replacing isoniazid with levofloxacin and adjusting doses gives safer, more effective treatment for adults with isoniazid-resistant TB.
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.