TB induces changes in the host’s metabolism, which may provide an opportunity to identify specific markers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. This PEER project studied the differences in MTB influenced host metabolomics in mild and severe disease groups. The researchers studied the dynamic changes of host metabolites at baseline, during, and at the end of the standard anti-TB treatment regimen and examined whether there is a correlation between host metabolomics, disease severity, and treatment course.

The PI, while having a strong background in human immunology and research methodologies, had not recently undertaken research because of her job as a project manager. This project allowed her to focus on this research and in the process to support mentees in gaining hands-on research experience in handling and processing human samples and contributing to extensive statistical analysis and manuscript writing.

Final Summary of Project Activities

The researchers used plasma samples and associated data that were collected and stored as part of the RePORT India Common Protocol (CP) Phase I. Treatment naïve, culture confirmed, adult pulmonary TB patients and their household contacts without any comorbidities were included in this study. TB cases were grouped as mild or severe based on chest x-ray findings and sputum smear grading at diagnosis. The team performed metabolomic analysis of the plasma samples of eight mild and severe cases at baseline, one month after treatment initiation, and at the end of treatment. For control contacts, only baseline samples were analyzed. The PI is currently developing a manuscript for publication on the findings as she continues in her career progression as a TB metabolomics researcher.