Understanding Gut Health and Treatment for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Longitudinal microbiome-host interactions and clinical outcomes in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients
This project looks at how gut bacteria change during treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis to help us understand patient health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stellenbosch University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have many tiny living organisms, called the microbiome, which are important for our health, especially in the gut. We know that certain gut compounds can affect the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), a serious illness. This project will follow patients with drug-resistant TB in South Africa as they receive a new treatment. We will collect samples like sputum and stool to see how their microbiome changes over time and how these changes relate to their health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults and adolescents (15 years or older) with rifampicin-resistant or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis who are starting a specific shorter course treatment regimen.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have drug-resistant tuberculosis or are not receiving the specific shorter course regimen would not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how to improve treatment outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis patients by supporting their gut health.
How similar studies have performed: While the general impact of antibiotics on the microbiome is known, the specific effects of this new drug-resistant TB treatment on the microbiome in these patients are currently uncharacterized.
Where this research is happening
Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA
- Stellenbosch University — Stellenbosch, South Africa (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naidoo, Charissa Camille — Stellenbosch University
- Study coordinator: Naidoo, Charissa Camille
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.