Projects
My laboratory continues to explore the contributions of genetic and epidemiologic characteristics of the human host as well as specific M. tuberculosis genotypes to TB occurrence and clinical outcomes. We also have several ongoing studies examining the utility of new blood-based tests for diagnosing latent TB infection in various subpopulations.
Currently, my lab has 6 research projects in progress with DSHS/CDC.
TO1 - Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium
TO1 - Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium.
This 10 year project began in July 2001 and sets up the infrastructure for future TB studies done in Texas and the US . I am the PI of the Texas DSHS site. Although the administration of the project continues from DSHS in Austin , TB research associated with the DSHS site comes through my lab at Baylor.
TO8 - An analysis of molecular epidemiology of multi-drug resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis in the United States
In March of 2005, I assumed the role of National PI for this project. Piloting for this multi-site project occurred in March 2006, with a full role-out to begin in January 2007. This is a 3 year TBESC consortium-wide project and deals with tracking and interviewing MDR-TB patients in the US , and conducting medical record review. We also obtain and submit TB isolates to the 2 national Genotyping Labs as part of the active surveillance network for MDR-TB.
TO9 - Enhanced opportunities to identify missed opportunities for prevention of tuberculosis in the foreign-born
This project began in March, 2005 and I am the PI for Texas . This 2.5 year study deals with interviewing a sample of foreign-born TB cases in Texas . I currently have two contact investigators who travel throughout the state interviewing subjects and entering data into an electronic database system.
TO18 - Evaluation of New Interferon-Gamma Release Assays in the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) in Health Care Workers (HCWs)
This 4 year project began in September 2007 and consists of enrolling 600 HCWs from Baylor and comparing screening assays for LTBI including QuantiFERON, T-SPOT.TB and tuberculin skin testing and measuring the diagnostic responses in HCWs over time.
TO20- Assessing QFT as an Initial Screening Tool for U.S.-Bound Applicants for Immigration and Feasibility of Follow-Up in U.S. Immigrants
This 3 year project aims to evaluate the potential role of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold in tube (QFT) and/or the tuberculin skin test (TST) in the screening process for Vietnamese immigrants to the U.S. and to determine the accuracy of QFT in predicting the future development of active TB among Vietnamese immigrants following arrival in the U.S.
TO23- National Study of Determinants of Early Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of TB in the African-American Community
The objective of this 4 year project is to describe the epidemiology, determinants and outcomes of tuberculosis in African -Americans in 2 specific sites in Texas : Houston and Dallas. The Texas sites are among 6 additional sites throughout the US conducting the project.
Future Research
Other than my continued epidemiologic research with the CDC, which will include future TB task orders, Our group will continue to develop a collegial relationship with Shandong Tuberculosis Control Center in Shandong , China . Five clinical/public health researchers from Shandong and have trained in our lab and two manuscripts have been published. We also have ongoing collaborations with researchers in Vietnam , S. Africa and the Middle East . With our international collaborators we will continue to study human genetic susceptibility to tuberculosis and the molecular epidemiology of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Our group will also continue to develop and explore new TB diagnostic assays and methodologies through federal and private collaborative efforts.
Clinical Services
My laboratory is a CLIA certified provider of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test, a new blood-based test to diagnose latent TB infection.
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test Flyer (pdf file)
QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test Request Form (pdf file)