Predicting tuberculosis in young children with and without HIV
PROgression of Tuberculosis infECTion in young children living with and without HIV: the PROTECT study
This project looks for blood markers that can tell which young children, with or without HIV, may develop tuberculosis so they can get preventive treatment earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11401864 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze banked and serial blood samples collected from young children in Uganda, South Africa, the Gambia, and Vietnam who were followed for a year or more. They will compare children who went on to develop TB with those who did not to find host immune markers that predict progression. The team will focus on markers that reflect failed immune control of Mtb and that could be turned into simple point-of-care tests meeting WHO accuracy targets. Children with and without HIV and with different exposure histories will be included to ensure findings apply across groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young children (especially under age 5) in high-TB-burden settings who have been exposed to TB, including those living with or without HIV.
Not a fit: Adults, children already diagnosed with active TB, or people not at risk of TB exposure are unlikely to benefit directly from this predictive biomarker work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier, targeted preventive treatment for young children at highest risk of developing TB, reducing severe illness and deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Related blood-signature approaches have shown promise in adults, but reliable, validated predictors for progression in very young children remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cattamanchi, Adithya — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Cattamanchi, Adithya
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.