Metabolite changes in blood predict the onset of tuberculosis

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 6;9(1):5208. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07635-7.

Abstract

New biomarkers of tuberculosis (TB) risk and disease are critical for the urgently needed control of the ongoing TB pandemic. In a prospective multisite study across Subsaharan Africa, we analyzed metabolic profiles in serum and plasma from HIV-negative, TB-exposed individuals who either progressed to TB 3-24 months post-exposure (progressors) or remained healthy (controls). We generated a trans-African metabolic biosignature for TB, which identifies future progressors both on blinded test samples and in external data sets and shows a performance of 69% sensitivity at 75% specificity in samples within 5 months of diagnosis. These prognostic metabolic signatures are consistent with development of subclinical disease prior to manifestation of active TB. Metabolic changes associated with pre-symptomatic disease are observed as early as 12 months prior to TB diagnosis, thus enabling timely interventions to prevent disease progression and transmission.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Africa South of the Sahara
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolome*
  • Metabolomics / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tuberculosis / blood*
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers