Diagnostic Research
NIAID supports the development of new and improved diagnostic tools to more accurately diagnose early TB disease, help optimize therapy by identifying drug-resistant strains, and track the spread of TB in a community. The Institute also encourages researchers to develop tools and identify biomarkers that allow clinicians to rapidly assess how people respond to therapy and to assist in conducting drug and vaccine clinical trials.
Important findings in TB diagnostic research include
- Potential new tests may speed the diagnosis of TB from 4 weeks to 2 days.
- Differences found in the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and the bacterium used in the Bacille Calmette Guerin(BCG) vaccine may lead to a test to tell the difference between people who really have TB and those who are merely reacting to previous BCG vaccination.
- Characterization of antibodies and other components of the immune response may potentially identify people who are infected with Mtb and are at the highest risk of developing active disease.
Research Feature Story