A Blinded, Cross-sectional, Diagnostic Evaluation Study Performed in Pulmonary TB Suspects at the TB Dispensary for Sector 4 of the Marius-Nasta-Institute in Bucharest, Romania
A Blinded, Cross-sectional, Diagnostic Evaluation Study Performed in Pulmonary TB Suspects at the TB Dispensary for Sector 4 of the Marius-Nasta-Institute in Bucharest, Romania
The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and especially the detection of drug resistance of
 tuberculosis mycobacteria can be time consuming and costly. New and rapid diagnostic tests
 are needed to improve early case detection and correct initiation of treatment.

 In the planned cross-sectional diagnostic evaluation study the investigators are aiming for
 the assessment of several new TB diagnostics (e.g. new AID strip assays and TrDNA assay in
 urine) in TB suspects who are presenting themselves to the pulmonary ambulance (TB dispensary
 for sector 4) at the Marius Nasta Institute (MNI). The study will be conducted in a
 co-operation between the MNI and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).
Up to 400 TB suspects will be consecutively screened for their eligibility for participation
 in the study. In those who are eligible (according to the criteria listed above) to
 participate, 2 sputum samples and one urine will be collected for standard diagnostic testing
 for TB in sputum (smear, Line Probe Assays and culture methods, as defined in the national
 guidelines) and for the evaluation of the new assays; one blood sample will be collected for
 analysis of lipoprotein profiles in serum of TB patients. Further, a HIV test and a clinical
 examination will be performed in all study subjects. Information on risk factors for TB
 disease (co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, co-medication such as steroids and risk
 behaviour such as smoking) will be also documented.

 All TB tests results and data which are generated in the study will be collected on
 standardized study forms and entered in a password-secured data base. TB tests results will
 be also shared with the medical staff treating the patients who are participating in the
 study.

 One follow up visit will be performed after 8 weeks in order to evaluate the clinical
 progress of the participants, either on TB treatment (if TB was confirmed) or alternative
 therapy, in participants who were not diagnosed with TB.

 The isolated TB strains will be sent to the Research Center Borstel in Germany for evaluation
 through sequencing and phenotypic methods. The remnants of collected samples will be stored
 in the National TB Laboratory for future evaluations of new tests.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects with suspected pulmonary TB, who have a chest radiograph which is compatible
 with pulmonary TB plus one of the signs or symptoms listed below and indicative of
 possible TB:

 -  Productive cough for more than 2 weeks

 -  Haemoptysis

 -  Fever

 -  Night sweats

 -  Substantial involuntary weight loss

 -  Subject able and willing to give informed consent, including for HIV-testing

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  anti-tuberculosis therapy with simultaneous administration of at least 2 active
 compounds taken currently or within the previous 6 months

 -  physical or mental inability preventing study participation as determined at the
 discretion of the investigator

 -  member of a vulnerable population group (prisoner, soldier, mental illness, under
 guardianship, age <18 years)

 -  extrapulmonary tuberculosis without pulmonary involvement

 -  incapability to produce 2 sputum samples of sufficient quality (mucoid) and volume (at
 least 3ml)