Recruiting

Testing new ways to diagnose tuberculosis in children

Plain-English translation of NCT05989802 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is evaluating new diagnostic tests designed to quickly and accurately identify tuberculosis in children under 15 years old. The tests being studied are faster and easier to perform than traditional methods, and they don't require sputum samples (which are difficult to collect from children). If these new tests work well, they could help doctors diagnose TB much more quickly so children can start treatment sooner.

Tuberculosis in children is often diagnosed too late because traditional tests are hard to do in children and don't work well for them—this delay means children don't get treatment when they need it, contributing to thousands of childhood TB deaths every year. This study exists to find faster, simpler diagnostic tools that could save children's lives by catching TB earlier.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are under 15 years old
you have an unexplained cough and at least one other TB symptom (like TB exposure, a positive skin test, or abnormal chest X-ray)
you have unexplained weight loss, failure to thrive, or severe malnutrition along with a cough or fever
you have an unexplained fever lasting 2 weeks or longer, along with a cough or TB exposure
your parent or guardian is willing to provide informed consent and you are willing to participate

You likely don't qualify if…

you have completed TB treatment (preventive or active) within the past 12 months
you are currently taking TB medications or other medications with anti-TB activity for more than 3 days
you are unable to return for follow-up visits at the clinic
your parent or guardian is unwilling to provide informed consent, or you are unwilling to participate if old enough to assent

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you and your parent or guardian will visit a clinic at one of three study locations where health workers will collect samples using the new diagnostic tests being evaluated. These samples will be tested using the novel TB diagnostic tools to see how well they work compared to standard TB testing methods. You may be asked questions about your health and symptoms, and you'll need to be able to return for follow-up visits as scheduled by the research team.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 6, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(3 sites)

Mozambique

Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo

South Africa

Dora Nginza Hospital, Cape Town

Uganda

Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala