Understanding how TB bacteria stay in the nose/throat before causing illness
Official title: Assessing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis carriage state
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11520349 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how most people clear exposure to TB bacteria without getting sick, and why a small number eventually develop active TB or remain latent.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | April 21, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $104,370 |
| NIH project number | 3R21AI182993-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520349 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with potential exposure to TB in high-risk environments or with suspected upper-respiratory carriage of M. tuberculosis.
✕Less likely to help
People without TB exposure or those not at risk of respiratory carriage may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Mycobacterium tuberculosis behaves in the upper airways after exposure, comparing those who clear the bacteria quickly with those who develop active disease or latent infection. By studying the carriage state in the upper respiratory tract, doctors may learn why transmission occurs in some people and not others. The work will involve examining samples and applying staining and other analyses to understand bacterial presence and host response. The findings could inform better prevention and early detection strategies for TB in high-risk settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve our understanding of TB transmission and lead to better ways to prevent and detect infection early.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on TB carriage is limited; this project tests a novel angle by focusing on URT carriage in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quinn, Frederick D — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Quinn, Frederick D
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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.