Testing Health Workers At Risk to Advance Our Understanding of TB Infection

Launched by BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · Jan 23, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The THWART-TB clinical trial is studying tuberculosis (TB) infection among health workers in Cape Town, South Africa. Tuberculosis is a serious disease that affects the lungs and can be life-threatening, and many people are infected without showing symptoms. This study aims to better understand how TB infection works and to find out which health workers are at higher risk of developing the disease. By frequently testing participants every three months using new methods, researchers hope to learn more about the immune responses at the time of infection and how they change over time. This information could help improve prevention strategies for TB.

To be eligible for this trial, you must be at least 18 years old, work as a health worker, and be able to give informed consent (which means you understand what the study involves). However, if you have had TB before or have ever tested positive for TB infection, you cannot participate. If you join, you can expect regular check-ups and tests over the duration of the study, all aimed at helping researchers find better ways to protect health workers and others at risk of TB.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥18 years old
• • Health worker
• • Able to provide informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior history of TB or known prior positive IGRA
• • Current or prior history of taking anti-TB treatment