Investigating alternative lung diseases in patients diagnosed with tuberculosis

Enhanced Diagnostic Workup for Patients About to Start Empiric Tuberculosis Treatment in Lusaka, Zambia

Observational Stichting Longartsen voor Afrika · NCT06737029

This study is trying to see if people who are diagnosed with tuberculosis but test negative actually have other lung diseases by doing a variety of tests on them.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorStichting Longartsen voor Afrika Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lusaka)
Trial IDNCT06737029 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore whether patients clinically diagnosed with tuberculosis, but who test negative for the disease in sputum samples, may actually have other lung diseases. Participants will undergo a series of additional diagnostic tests, including blood tests, chest X-rays, lung function tests, CT scans, and bronchoscopy, to gather comprehensive information about their lung health. The findings from these investigations are intended to improve the management of tuberculosis and similar lung conditions in affected patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults who are about to start tuberculosis treatment based on clinical suspicion but have negative sputum GeneXpert results.

Not a fit: Patients suspected of having drug-resistant tuberculosis or those who are hospitalized due to suspected tuberculosis will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment options for patients with lung diseases that mimic tuberculosis.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of enhancing diagnostic workup in tuberculosis cases is not widely tested, the study builds on existing knowledge of diagnostic challenges in tuberculosis management.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adult patient
* about to start TB treatment for suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, but with sputum GeneXpert negative

Exclusion Criteria:

* suspected drug-resistant tuberculosis
* inpatient (because of suspected tuberculosis)
* unable to visit central study site for review or additional investigations

Where this trial is running

Lusaka

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions TuberculosisLung Diseasestubcerculosisempiric treatmentalternative diagnosislung disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.