Active clinical trials for "Latent Tuberculosis"

Many patients who are prescribed treatment for latent tuberculosis (LTBI) do not complete treatment. Effective interventions that are low-cost and feasible for large-scale implementation are needed to support efforts to eliminate TB. The investigators hypothesize that a 3-minute educational LTBI video intervention will improve treatment completion compared to standard care (no intervention). A randomized trial will be conducted at Kaiser Permanente Southern California, including adults who are prescribed treatment for LTBI, identified using an electronic health record algorithm. At the time of treatment prescription, patients will be randomized to receive the LTBI video intervention or standard care at a ratio of 2 to 1. Those in the intervention group will be sent a secure text message or e-mail with a link to the video. Individuals who watch the LTBI video will be invited to respond to 4 short questions about their perceptions of the video accessibility and content. The primary outcome is LTBI treatment completion (dispensation of the required number of doses) in the year following prescription order. Secondary outcomes are LTBI treatment initiation (at least one dispensation) in the year following prescription order; initiation and completion within the year following prescription order stratified by LTBI treatment regimen (if feasible); the proportion of individuals randomized to the intervention group who watched the LTBI video; and the perceptions of those who watched the video. The primary analysis will be based on intention-to-treat. Characteristics of individuals in the intervention and standard care groups will be described, and rates of LTBI treatment completion will be calculated. To assess the effect of the intervention, Poisson regression with robust standard errors will be used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Per-protocol analyses will also be conducted, comparing those in the intervention group who watched the LTBI video to those in the standard care group. Similar methods will be used for secondary analyses. Assuming the completion rate in the standard care group is 0.5 (based on recent KPSC data), approximately 918 patients will be needed to achieve 80% power with type one error 0.05 to detect an intervention effect of 0.10 in the completion rate between groups. This sample size will be feasible to achieve over the 1 year trial duration.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's leading infectious cause of mortality and responsible for 1/3 of deaths in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) are disproportionately affected due to inadequate preventive services, large case detection gaps, treatment and adherence challenges, and knowledge gaps. This project will generate evidence to inform interventions targeting several of these weaknesses in the TB/HIV cascade of care. Early detection and treatment of TB improve outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). A key challenge in the detection of HIV-associated TB has been the implementation of screening that identifies the correct population for diagnostic testing. Increasing evidence demonstrates the poor performance of recommended symptom screens and diagnostic approaches. Hence, the investigators aim to define a more accurate TB screening and testing strategy among PLHIV (Objective 1 and Objective 2). TB preventive treatment (TPT) averts HIV-associated TB. Nevertheless, among PLHIV, TPT initiation and completion rates are sub-optimal and effective delivery strategies are not defined. As such, the investigators aim to identify the most effective TPT delivery strategy through shared decision making and by integrating approaches proven to be effective at improving HIV treatment adherence (Objective 3). Although evidence demonstrates that isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is cost-effective in young children living in TB/HIV high burden settings, the cost-effectiveness of newer short-course TPT has primarily been studied in the context of a TB low-burden, high-income setting. The investigators aim to generate evidence to fill this knowledge gap and inform policy for PLHIV living in TB/HIV high burden settings (Objective 4). This study is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling an anticipated $5,000,000 over five years with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS.

Rationale: Shorter regimens of high dose daily rifampin may be safe, and as effective as the standard rifampin regimen when taken for 4 months to treat latent TB (LTBI). However, there is insufficient evidence on the optimal dose of rifampin that has similar efficacy as the standard 4-month rifampin regimen without jeopardizing safety or affecting completion rates. Objectives: The general purpose of this study is to determine if rifampin at double or triple the standard dose for 2 months is as safe and effective as the standard dose of rifampin when taken for 4 months to treat latent tuberculosis (TB). Treatment: Persons who need treatment for latent TB, will be given rifampin, either at the standard dose (10mg/kg/day) for 4 months (control arm); or at double dose (20mg/kg/day) for 2 months (intervention arm 1); or at triple dose (30mg/kg/day) for 2 months (intervention arm 2). Design: This is 1:1:1 randomized, phase 2b, partially blind, controlled trial. The two higher doses (intervention arms) will be administered double-blind: participants and providers will be aware of the duration of their regimen, but they will both remain blinded to the specific dose (i.e. 20 or 30 mg/kg/day) for those randomized to 2-months regimens. All members of the same household of a patient with newly diagnosed active pulmonary TB will be randomized together (i.e. cluster randomized). Population and setting: Adults and children aged 10 years and above, who have latent TB infection and are recommended by their doctor to take treatment for latent TB can participate in the study. The planned number of persons with latent TB to recruit is about 1359 in total (or about 453 for each of the three arms). The study will take place in 6 sites: four in Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver), one in Indonesia (Bandung) and one in Viet Nam (1 clinic in Ho Chi Min City and 3 clinics in Ha Noi). Outcomes: Primary outcomes are: 1) Treatment completion and 2) Safety (i.e. grade 3-5 adverse events). Secondary outcomes are: 1) Safety (i.e. grade 1-2 adverse events) and 2) Efficacy (i.e. rates of active TB in the 26 months post-randomization). More information on how outcomes are defined is provided in the detailed description below.

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.

The UK has the second highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Western Europe. Most active cases occur in migrants due to reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI) acquired abroad. Screening migrants for LTBI was recently introduced by Public Health England to reduce TB rates and transmission of infectious cases. Newham, which has one of the highest TB rates in London introduced the first large-scale LTBI screening programme for migrants, but it is poorly accessed by pregnant women and screening uptake is low. The issue of how best to screen for TB during pregnancy is important because pregnant/ postpartum women are at particularly high risk of developing TB, and migrants from countries with high TB rates may only interact with healthcare services during pregnancy. Effective strategies are urgently needed to improve screening uptake for LTBI in pregnant migrants. The Antenatal clinic is an attractive location to screen for LTBI because uptake and acceptability of opt-out screening for other infectious diseases (HIV) is high. We will evaluate the uptake, effectiveness and acceptability of routine screening for LTBI in antenatal clinics. Eligible patients are pregnant women who have entered the UK within 10 years from a country with TB rates of >150/100,000. Screening will involve a blood test, taken with other routine antenatal blood tests. We expect that in this setting, screening will be acceptable and uptake will be high. Our main outcome will be to assess the uptake of screening in at least 200 women. Acceptability of screening and understanding barriers of healthcare professionals to test for LTBI are secondary aims. The study will provide important information about a new setting in which to screen pregnant migrants for LTBI and barriers to starting treatment postpartum, which will inform the definitive trial to guide national policy on LTBI screening in antenatal care.

Approximately 2 billion people worldwide are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), with 90% of individuals having latent infection (LTBI). The control of TB requires clearly delineated helper T cell (Th) 1 responses and, to a lesser extent, Th17 responses, which both play important roles in the induction and maintenance of protective immune responses in mouse models of TB infection and in the prevention of active disease, as seen in LTBI. During latency, M. tuberculosis is contained in localized granulomas. Mycobacteria specific T cells mediate delayed type hypersensitivity reactions to purified protein derivative (PPD), and this reaction is generally considered to indicate an LTBI status in the absence of demonstrable active infection. Among the various risk factors that are known to play a role in promoting active TB, HIV is the most well studied and described. However, in low-HIV-endemic countries like India, other risk factors might play a more prominent role in active TB pathogenesis. These include malnutrition, diabetes mellitus (DM), and helminth infections. LTBI individuals with these comorbidities or coinfections could be at a higher risk for developing active TB than their "healthy" LTBI counterparts without these comorbidities. Thus, it is imperative to study the pathogenesis of TB infection and disease in these "at risk" populations. In this study, we will estimate the prevalence of severe to moderate malnutrition, uncontrolled DM, and helminth infections in LTBI-positive individuals. We will collect samples from a cohort of individuals with LTBI, those with LTBI and coexistent malnutrition, DM, or helminth coinfection, and those without any of these conditions. Individual participation may last up to 6 months. The main objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition, DM, and helminth infections in LTBI individuals. Simultaneously, we will perform transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic assays, including profiles in serum and urine, to determine the biosignature portfolio of these individuals. In addition, immunological assays examining cytokine/chemokine signatures as well as other immune parameters related to innate and adaptive responses will be performed to enhance the understanding of the immunological cross talk between LTBI and malnutrition, DM, and helminth infections.

Prospective, descriptive study to assess latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among healthcare worker (HCW) in a tertiary hospital in a low-risk area.

COVID-19 has emerged as global pandemic during the past few months, with an unprecedented impact on public health, and society more generally. Virus epidemiology is poorly understood, as are factors influencing the diverse clinical picture. To date most cases have been seen in high income countries and consequently COVID-19 diagnostics and research have mainly been set-up in these settings. Outstanding questions include an understanding of how the virus spreads and how it causes pathology. A particular gap in current knowledge is the effect of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) on the outcomes of COVID-19 disease as these two conditions impair the host immune response to other infectious disease. Understanding how these three pandemics interact is crucial. We have developed a proposal that will answer critical questions concerning COVID-19 disease epidemiology in the context of low resource countries with high burden of poverty, and in the presence of high rates of TB and HIV, namely, Namibia and Botswana. Given that there are currently few cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in both countries, the project will document how the virus spreads within susceptible populations. The development of this proposal is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, with investigators from Namibia and Botswana working closely with colleagues in Europe. We will also work with an NGO in Namibia, Health Poverty Action, to support rapid implementation. The project includes two studies that will be conducted sequentially. The first study will follow the WHO protocol for household transmission investigations in the context of COVID-19. It will explore transmission frequency and describe the clinical spectrum of disease. Samples collected will also serve as basis for COVID-19 molecular epidemiology and host immunological response. The second study will evaluate the presentation, diagnosis and clinical characteristics of individuals presenting to sentinel health facilities in both countries. The project will have a strong laboratory strengthening component which will enhance COVID-19 laboratory and research capacity. This will include the development of skills and knowledge for diagnostic testing and COVID-19 sequencing and will build scientific and research capacity. The findings from this project will provide robust data to assist in guiding national responses to COVID-19 in both countries as well as assisting with our understanding of the pathogenesis of the virus in the context of TB and HIV, in turn providing vital information on how to deliver clinical care and how to design therapeutics and vaccines.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung disease. It is caused by inhaling a type of airborne bacterium. Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) is used to test for TB exposure. It is usually injected under a person s skin. In this study, it will be applied in the lung. Objective: To learn how the cells within the lung react (immune response) when exposed to PPD. Eligibility: Adults ages 18-64 who (1) have been exposed to TB but do not have active disease or symptoms or (2) have never been exposed to TB. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. They will have a TB skin test. They will also have an electrocardiogram to examine heart rhythm. For this, sticky patches will be placed on their chest. Some screening tests will be repeated at study visits. Participants will have 3 FDG PET-CT scans. They will lie in a machine that creates pictures of the inside of their body. They will get a radioactive substance injected into their arm called 18FDG. It helps make the pictures. Participants will have 3 bronchoscopies. Their mouth and nasal airways will be numbed. They will get drugs to relax. A tube will be inserted through their nose or mouth into a lung. Fluid will be delivered into the lung and suctioned back out to collect cells. They will get PPD during the first bronchoscopy. Participation will last for about 30 days. Participants will visit the clinic up to 8 times. They will go home after each procedure. No hospital stays are needed.

The aim of the study is to investigate safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the TB/Flu-05E single-dose intranasal vaccine for the prevention of Tuberculosis infection in BCG-vaccinated Volunteers aged 18-50 years.