Biomarker Panel Distinguishes TB from Other Infections

A small proof-of-principle study confirmed the validity of a 20-gene biomarker panel able to distinguish individuals with active or latent tuberculosis (TB) from those with viral or bacterial infections.

While whole blood transcriptional signatures distinguishing active tuberculosis patients from asymptomatic latently infected individuals exist, consensus has not been achieved regarding which optimal reduced gene sets could be used as diagnostic biomarkers that also achieve discrimination from other diseases.

To establish a reliable biomarker panel to distinguish between TB from other viral or bacterial infections, investigators at The Francis Crick Institute (London, United Kingdom), the biotechnology firm BIOASTER (Lyon, France), and other British, French, and South African research groups analyzed blood samples from patients across London and Africa with latent and active TB using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology.

The investigators then used an advanced modular approach to develop a 20-gene signature that discriminated active tuberculosis patients from latently infected individuals or those with acute viral and bacterial infections. More...