Using wastewater to improve detection of HIV and TB in Eswatini
Official title: Wastewater surveillance to enhance the public health response to HIV and TB in Eswatini
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10916829 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how testing wastewater can help find out where HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are in Eswatini, so we can better support people who might not know they have these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $560,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP1HD115427-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916829 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents in Eswatini who are at risk for HIV and TB.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not located in Eswatini or who do not fall within the targeted age group may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of wastewater surveillance as a novel method to enhance the detection of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in Eswatini. By analyzing wastewater from specific areas, the study aims to identify the presence of these pathogens, which can help target public health interventions more effectively. The project will be conducted in phases, starting with establishing the wastewater surveillance pipeline, followed by validating the detection methods, and finally correlating the findings with existing public health data. This approach is particularly important as many individuals with HIV and TB may not seek testing due to being asymptomatic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved detection and management of HIV and TB, ultimately reducing the incidence of these diseases in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: While wastewater surveillance is a relatively novel approach for HIV and TB detection, similar methodologies have shown promise in other infectious disease contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kay, Alexander William — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kay, Alexander William
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.