Predicting the Future: Incipient Tuberculosis

The investigators will study, prospectively, if contacts (household or close contacts) of tuberculosis (TB) patients with high C-reactive protein (CRP), low hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and a positive Xpert Host Response (HR) cartridge result develop active TB within 12 months. They will also investigate if there is a correlation between progressing to active TB within 12 months and having high levels of the iron homeostasis markers (Hepcidin, Ferritin and Transferrin). Identified index cases who agree to participate will refer their household or close contacts to also join the study. These contacts will be tested for TB and only contacts who are negative will be enrolled and followed-up at 6 months and 12 months. Blood samples will be collected at baseline and 6 months for testing. During the study period, TB testing will be done on contacts who meet symptoms criteria. At 12 months, all contacts will undergo a chest x-ray to assist in the diagnosis of TB. PreFIT will target people aged 12 to 60 years of age and both HIV negative and positive. 1515 trial participants will be recruited at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, 1515 at Fundaçao Manhiça in Mozambique and 1010 at Makerere University in Uganda, respectively.