Preventive TB treatment for freshmen with strong TB skin tests
Official title: Real-World Implementation and Effectiveness of Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment in School Health Services in China
Run by Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University · NCT07811518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether a short course of preventive TB treatment given to freshmen with strong TB skin tests can reduce the chance of developing active TB over 3 to 4 years.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 14 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 3000 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Nantong, Jiangsu and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 15, 2022 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | September 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07811518 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are matriculating freshmen aged 14–24 with strong TST reactivity (≥15 mm or severe local reactions) and no signs of active TB.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with active TB at screening or those who choose to receive Vaccae vaccination are not expected to benefit in this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The Latent Infection Freshmen Tracking for Tuberculosis (LIFT-TB) is a real-world, multi-site cohort conducted in 26 schools in Meishan City, China. It compares a 3-month tuberculosis preventive treatment administered under campus supervision to routine health observation in students with strong latent TB infection but no active disease. Participants are followed for 3–4 years to monitor progression to active TB and to assess safety and long-term effectiveness. Screening includes TST, symptom checks, and digital chest radiographs at entry, with downstream monitoring embedded in routine campus health services. The study uses an observation-based control group and aims to inform programmatic feasibility and real-world impact of school-integrated preventive therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce the risk of progressing to active TB among freshmen with latent infection in university settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in similar real-world settings suggests short-course preventive therapy can be effective, though this study provides targeted evidence in a school-based population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Matriculating freshmen aged 14-24 years enrolled across 26 participating educational institutions * Completion of baseline tuberculosis screening, including systematic symptom screening, digital chest radiography, and tuberculin skin test (TST) * Target cohort requirement: TST strong reactivity (induration ≥15 mm or severe local reactions such as blisters, necrosis, or lymphangitis) with active TB ruled out at baseline * Control cohort requirement: TST induration \<15 mm (including negative \<5 mm, weakly positive 5-9 mm, and moderately positive 10-14 mm) Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of active TB at baseline screening * Voluntary receipt of Vaccae vaccination (for the target cohort)
Where it's running
-
Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University
Nantong, Jiangsu, China Recruiting -
Meishan Municipal Center for Disease Prevention and Control
Meishan, Sichuan, China Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Gang Qin, MD, PhD
- Email: tonygqin@ntu.edu.cn
- Phone: 086-189-1228-8106
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.