TACTIC: Finding TB in people who use drugs through their social networks
Official title: TACTIC: Tuberculosis Active Case Tracking via Interpersonal Connections
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11553412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests a peer-led recruitment approach to find TB cases among people who use drugs and their close contacts to speed up testing and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 16, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $296,010 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AI191221-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11553412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people who use drugs and their household contacts in high TB prevalence settings, who can participate in recruitment and testing activities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not connected to PWUD networks or not willing to participate in testing and contact-recruitment efforts may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Boston Medical Center will study whether using people's social networks (respondent-driven sampling) can identify TB cases among people who use drugs and their household contacts in Kampala, Uganda, more effectively than traditional clinic-based methods. They will screen about 2,000 PWUD and their household contacts, compare how many cases are found and how quickly, and analyze the characteristics of each recruitment method. The study builds on existing collaborations and uses whole genome sequencing to understand transmission patterns, with findings intended to inform practical TB control strategies in high-prevalence settings. The work is designed to translate lessons learned in Kampala to improve TB case finding in other communities, including areas with elevated methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine use."
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could speed up TB case finding and reduce transmission by reaching high-risk individuals more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Prior methods often miss cases; this study tests a novel recruitment approach that could improve yield in high-risk populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacobson, Karen R — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Jacobson, Karen R
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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.