New Strategies for Assessment of the Persistence of Viable Bacilli in Latent and Active Tuberculosis
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Current diagnostic tools such as interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) and purified protein derivative (PPD) can not distinguish patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and persistence of live mycobacteria. This inability to rule out living mycobacteria in patients investigated for LTBI leads to unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment regimes all around the globe. The goal of this observational study is to identify candidate biomarkers for viable bacilli in latent tuberculosis in order to decrease the use of unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic treatment.
Eligibility Criteria
LTBI (2 groups) Inclusion Criteria: * latent tuberculosis: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) \>0.70 IU/ml in the Quantiferon-TB Plus assay * age 15-25 years OR high likelihood of recent TB transmission * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * active tuberculosis * chronic illness * immunosuppressive treatment * pregnancy (including 6 months post-partum) * previous treatment for either active or latent TB infection Controls Inclusion Criteria: * age 15-25 years * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * latent- OR active tuberculosis * chronic illness * immunosuppressive treatment * pregnancy (including 6 months post-partum) * previous treatment for either active or latent TB infection Active TB Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosed with active TB * informed consent Exclusion Criteria: age \< 15 years