Rapid, non-culture test to guide TB drug choices using the MPT64 biomarker
Official title: Innovating anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility testing with a novel and rapid non-culture based phenotypic test using MPT64 biomarker
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11503491 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, fast test uses the MPT64 biomarker to tell which tuberculosis bacteria are susceptible to drugs within 72 hours, directly from patient sputum.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $153,127 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI176409-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11503491 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with suspected or confirmed drug-resistant TB who are receiving sputum testing at participating sites.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with drug-susceptible TB or those not yet starting therapy may not directly benefit until the test is implemented into care pathways.
What this research studies
This project aims to replace lengthy culture-based drug susceptibility tests with a rapid, non-culture method that reports back in 48–72 hours. By measuring MPT64, a protein only produced by actively growing TB bacteria, the test can distinguish drug-susceptible from drug-resistant strains directly from sputum samples. The team will validate a culture-based MPT64 chemiluminescence immunoassay for key TB drugs, including isoniazid, rifampin, fluoroquinolones, bedaquiline, linezolid, and delamanid, with results available soon after MTB identification. If successful, clinicians could tailor treatment sooner, improving outcomes and limiting transmission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could start the most effective drug regimen much faster, reducing morbidity and transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show MPT64 can be detected in sputum and reflects MTB activity, with validation ongoing for rapid DST.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kato-Maeda, Midori — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kato-Maeda, Midori
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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.