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As a major global health concern, tuberculosis (TB) requires improvements in treatment monitoring and early detection. Biomarkers are essential in these efforts because they provide information about diagnosis, therapy efficacy assessment, and outcome prediction. The urgent need to contain the TB pandemic and lower the disease’s death rate motivates researchers to search for new biomarkers in TB research.
Plasma Proteomics and TB Biomarkers
Recent studies have focused on identifying TB-specific biomarkers that distinguish active pulmonary TB cases from healthy individuals and those with other respiratory infections. Integrated plasma proteomics has unveiled a 6-protein diagnostic panel, including FETUB, FCGR3B, LRG1, SELL, CD14, and ADA2, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity in different cohorts. These biomarkers show promise in developing near-patient TB screening assays, bridging the gap in case detection that fuels the TB pandemic.
Metabolomics and TB Biomarker Discovery
Efforts in TB biomarker discovery extend beyond plasma proteomics to metabolomics studies. Metabolomics-based research has made significant strides in identifying biomarkers for TB diagnosis, therapy efficacy evaluation, and treatment monitoring. These biomarkers, derived from quantitative metabolite profiling of both the host and the pathogen, offer valuable insights into TB pathogenesis and drug resistance mechanisms.
Diverse Approaches in TB Biomarker Research
Moreover, the search for TB biomarkers encompasses a wide array of approaches, including non-sputum-based diagnostic tests and host-specific markers. Biomarkers related to the pathogen, such as Mtb and cell wall components, provide avenues for direct detection in blood, sputum, or urine. Host biomarkers, on the other hand, offer non-sputum-based assays for active TB diagnosis, utilizing serum, plasma, urine, or blood samples. These diverse biomarkers contribute to a comprehensive understanding of TB infection and disease progression.
Advancing Early Detection and Treatment Monitoring
In the realm of TB biomarkers, the emphasis lies on advancing early detection and treatment monitoring. Identifying accurate and novel biomarkers is crucial for classifying patients with active TB, latent M. tuberculosis infection, or no disease. These biomarkers not only aid in diagnosis but also hold potential for predicting future reactivation risk and monitoring treatment outcomes. The ultimate goal is to translate biomarker discoveries into practical diagnostic tools, including point-of-care tests, to enhance TB control efforts globally.
Conclusion
The continuous exploration of TB biomarkers is pivotal in advancing early detection, treatment monitoring, and ultimately curbing the TB pandemic. The integration of diverse biomarkers from proteomics, metabolomics, and host-pathogen interactions offers a multifaceted approach to tackling the challenges posed by TB, emphasizing the importance of innovative research in this critical area of infectious disease management.
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