PROJECT

Point of care estimation of Vitamin D and C-Reactive Protein for tuberculosis screening in household contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Tamil Nadu, India.

March 2023 - September 2026

Objectives:

To compare the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) and the predictive value (negative and positive predictive value) of point-of-care (POC) estimation of C-reactive protein and Vitamin D with WHO symptom based screening for active TB in household contacts of PTB patients.

Study Overview:

The present TB screening procedures are highly sensitive and less specific. The present study is aimed to develop a simple and cost effective point of care (PoC) procedure for active TB screening among household contacts. Upon development the PoC screening procedure will be validated in other high risk populations such as tribal communities, prisoners etc.

Study Approach:

Sputum samples will be collected from the participants and subjected for the Truenat, smear microscopy and culture tests; a 2-3 drops of whole blood obtained via finger prick will be used to conduct the PoC tests for Vitamin D and CRP.

Expected Public Health Impact:

The study would provide information on the cot-off values of vitamin D & CRP that could be used as a predictive tool for active TB infection. As the analysis is simple to perform it can be employed to other high risk populations anywhere in the country as a prerequisite for the costlier confirmatory diagnostic techniques such as Xpert MTB/RIF.