How the immune system shapes tuberculosis infection and disease
Immune Determinants of the Course of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and Disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11144599
This project looks at why some people with tuberculosis infection stay well while others develop active TB by examining immune responses and bacterial differences.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144599 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare people who carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis but remain asymptomatic with those who progress to active TB by analyzing blood and lung samples, chest X-rays, and a biomarker signature called PREDICT29. The team will compare bacterial strains that transmit and cause disease more readily (Mtb-HT) versus less readily (Mtb-LT) and use mouse models to see how these strains change early immune responses in alveolar macrophages and T cells. They will measure bacterial features like the PDIM lipid alongside host immune markers to connect bacterial traits with patterns of disease progression. If you are a household contact of an active TB case or have recent exposure, you might be invited to provide samples and have follow-up monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with recent exposure to active pulmonary TB, household contacts of TB patients, or those with a new positive test for TB infection.
Not a fit: People without M. tuberculosis exposure or infection, or those already successfully treated for active TB, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at highest risk of progressing to active TB so they can get targeted prevention or earlier treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biomarker and animal-model work, including the PREDICT29 signature, has shown promising signals but reliable clinical prediction of progression to active TB still needs stronger validation.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SALGAME, PADMINI — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: SALGAME, PADMINI
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.