Understanding tuberculosis infection in health workers
Official title: THWART-TB : Testing Health Workers At Risk to advance our understanding of TB infection
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-10471574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tuberculosis affects health workers in Cape Town, South Africa, by checking their immune responses every three months to help tell the difference between current and past infections, which could lead to better ways to screen for TB in people who are at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 16, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,189,520 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AI176896-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10471574 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are health workers in high-risk areas, particularly those in Cape Town, South Africa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not health workers or those not residing in the study location may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates tuberculosis (TB) infection among health workers in Cape Town, South Africa, who are at high risk for TB. It aims to establish a longitudinal cohort study where participants will undergo regular evaluations every three months using novel assays to assess their immune responses to TB. By analyzing these immune responses, the study seeks to differentiate between active TB infections and past infections that have been cleared, ultimately improving TB screening strategies for health workers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate TB screening methods, helping to prevent the disease in high-risk health workers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using novel assays for TB detection, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nathavitharana, Ruvandhi — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Nathavitharana, Ruvandhi
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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.