Sputum-free Diagnostis of TB

Launched by RESEARCH CENTER BORSTEL · Aug 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying new ways to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) without needing patients to cough up sputum (mucus from the lungs), which can be hard for some people to do. Researchers are collecting samples like blood, urine, stool, and sputum from patients who might have TB to look for special markers that could help detect the disease more easily and less invasively. The goal is to find reliable tests that work even when sputum isn’t available, making diagnosis simpler and more comfortable.

Adults 18 years or older who have suspected or confirmed TB, or who have another lung infection, may be eligible to join. Participants will provide these samples just once, and no extra medical procedures will be done beyond their routine care. The study is taking place at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and is currently looking for volunteers. Pregnant individuals and those unable to give consent cannot participate. This study might help improve TB diagnosis in the future, especially for patients who find it difficult to give sputum samples.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Suspected pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis, or confirmed pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis with less than 7 days of anti-tuberculosis treatment, OR other pulmonary infection (control group).
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• • Ability to provide informed consent
• • Willingness to participate in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Lack of ability to provide informed consent
• • Age \< 18 years
• • Pregnancy