Improving HIV and TB detection in Eswatini communities
Wastewater surveillance to enhance the public health response to HIV and TB in Eswatini
This project aims to find new ways to detect HIV and tuberculosis in communities in Eswatini by looking for signs of these infections in wastewater.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180168 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring a new method to find HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in communities by testing wastewater. This approach is especially helpful because people can carry these infections without symptoms for a long time, making it hard to find them through regular clinic visits. By identifying where these infections are more common in wastewater, public health teams can better target their efforts to help people get tested and treated. This work builds on existing knowledge and will help us understand how well this method works and how it connects to actual patient cases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is not for individual patient participation but aims to benefit entire communities in Eswatini, particularly those with high rates of HIV and TB, including adolescent girls and children.
Not a fit: Individual patients seeking direct medical care or personal diagnostic testing will not receive direct benefit from this community-level detection method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to earlier detection of HIV and TB in communities, helping more people get the care they need sooner and reducing the spread of these diseases.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon prior experience in wastewater surveillance, suggesting a foundation of existing knowledge and methods.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kay, Alexander William — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kay, Alexander William
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.