Finding hidden tuberculosis carriers
Assessing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis carriage state
Researchers are looking for new ways to find people who carry tuberculosis bacteria, even when they have no symptoms, so adults exposed to TB can be identified earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323528 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will collect samples such as sputum, blood, and possibly breath or environmental air from adults who have been exposed to TB or are close contacts of active cases. They will combine standard tests like skin or blood immune tests with more sensitive laboratory methods to try to detect low levels of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during early, latent, or subclinical stages. The project may also include tracing contacts and comparing bacterial patterns to better find who is spreading TB in communities. The goal is to better map when and how people carry and transmit TB so that hidden sources can be found sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) who have been recently exposed to TB or are close contacts of someone with active TB, including those with latent or possible early/subclinical infection.
Not a fit: People without known TB exposure, children under 21, or those already diagnosed and fully treated for active TB are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people carrying TB earlier so they can get treatment and reduce spread to others.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using sputum testing and genetic linking have identified some transmission chains but have left many sources undetected, so this work builds on past methods while applying newer detection approaches.
Where this research is happening
Athens, United States
- University of Georgia — Athens, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Frederick D — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Frederick D
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.