PROJECT

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation during pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes co-morbidity

April 2024 - September 2026

Objectives:

Primary Objective: To measure neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and the correlated immune responses during PTB-diabetes co morbidity.

Study Overview:

This study is to understand and determine the NET levels in various study groups and correlate circulating NET levels with the other immune markers to gain knowledge on NETosis that occurs during PTB- diabetes comorbidity as we hypothesise a detrimental role for NETs. This study will pave way towards neutrophil mediated tailored treatment strategies in reducing NETs formed during the comorbidity.

Study Approach:

Study Design: Prospective laboratory Study
Methods:
We will measure NETs in the following four different groups
1. Healthy Volunteers
2. Pulmonary Tuberculosis participants
3. Pulmonary Tuberculosis + diabetic participants
4. Diabetic participants
A longitudinal analysis of NET markers through treatment will be undertaken to better understand NETs and the influence of diabetes on NET formation and TB treatment. Various immune parameters and their correlation with NETs will also be studied to understand the effect of NETs during tuberculosis treatment.

Expected Public Health Impact:

This study will help in understanding The effect of diabetes on NETs formed during PTB- Diabetes comorbidity in humans Effect of different diabetic treatment strategies in levels of NET markers and its correlation to mycobacterial clearance in the PTB- DM comorbid condition Differential neutrophil signatures between the four study groups