Characterising heterogeneity of latent infection with M. Tuberculosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising heterogeneity of latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: an exploratory study of small airway protein expression using exhaled particles on chip (PEX)
IRAS ID
139666
Contact name
Pranabashis Haldar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Research summary
This is an observational pilot study investigating whether differences in the expression of proteins in airways differs between subjects that test positive and negative for latent infection with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (LTBI). This will be done using a novel non-invasive technique (PEX) that will capture particles of different sizes expelled during expiration. Proteins lining the surface of airways are recognised constituents of these particles and we will be examining and comparing the spectrum of these exhaled proteins between two healthy adult groups, characterised on the basis of whether they have LTBI.
PEX is a non-invasive breath technique that has been developed to collect and study small particles from the airways during exhalation onto fabricated chips. The instrument is located at the hospital and is currently used to similarly investigate protein expression in subjects with asthma. Our primary objective will be to explore and characterise protein expression in our groups and identify differences between them. This may offer the future possibility of developing new, more specific and much needed biomarkers for identifying latent TB infection, a treatable pre-disease state that carries a risk of future tuberculosis (TB).
Household contacts of pulmonary TB will be identified using the clinical contact screening programme, and will have a blood test and assessment performed as part of their clinical care to exclude active TB and determine whether they have LTBI. Contacts that test negative for LTBI at this visit return after 8-12 weeks to have the blood test repeated and clinical management decisions are taken thereafter. 20-30 participants will be recruited for PEX. Study visits and testing will be aligned to the clinical pathway as detailed in the protocol.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0165
Date of REC Opinion
25 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion