PREVAIL VIIIa: Evaluation of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening Methods in People Living With Retroviral Infection in Liberia

Overview

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a health threat for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People living with HIV are more likely than others to develop active TB. Also, TB makes HIV progress faster. TB is a leading cause of death among people in the West African country of Liberia. Researchers want to find an effective testing method for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) to help people living with HIV in Liberia. Objective: To compare the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and tuberculin skin test (TST) as LTBI screening tests in people living with HIV in Liberia. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older who take part in NIH study #19-I-N014 and are scheduled to have or have had IGRA at a Month 12 HONOR study visit. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. Their medical records and HONOR study records will be reviewed. Participants will have TST. Purified protein derivative will be placed in the skin of their forearm. They will be observed for adverse reactions for 15 minutes. Between 48 and 72 hours after placement, they will have a second study visit to have the TST read. If they miss this time frame, they can return up to 7 days after placement. If they have a positive test result, they will have a chest x-ray. They will have a third study visit to review the results of the chest x-ray. They will be referred for clinical care if needed. They will take a pregnancy test if needed. Participation will last from 2 days to 6 weeks.

Study Description: This is a prospective study to compare the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and tuberculin skin test (TST) as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening tests in people living with HIV in Liberia. Participants will be co-enrolled on the ongoing HONOR (A CoHOrt Clinical, Viral, and ImmuNOlogic Monitoring Study of People Living with Retroviral Infection in Liberia) study. A TST will be administered to eligible participants who are being screened by IGRA on HONOR. Since there is no gold standard for diagnosing LTBI, the results of each method will be compared to evaluate whether there is no difference in the probability of testing positive, assess the operational functionality in the clinic and lab, and determine whether one test can be used with greater sensitivity assuming comparable specificity. In an extension phase, participants who had a positive TST and/or IGRA result will be offered an opportunity to return for an optional assessment by follow-up chest x-ray, non-contrast chest computed tomography (CT) scanning, sputum collection, and phlebotomy. This will involve an additional visit (Visit 4), to occur after completion of the primary phase (Visit 3). The visit may occur in conjunction with (ie, the same day as or within 4 weeks of) a main HONOR study visit, and results of blood tests collected under the main HONOR study will be reviewed. For participants who have already completed the main HONOR study or do not have an upcoming HONOR visit scheduled, a new visit (ie, HONOR TB Visit 4) will be scheduled for this HONOR TB extension study, and a blood draw will also be performed. Objectives: Primary Objective: Assess the sensitivity of the IGRA and TST as LTBI screening tools in people living with HIV in Liberia. Secondary Objective: Assess the operational functionality of the IGRA and TST in Liberia. Exploratory Objective: Investigate testing approaches, including follow-up chest x-ray imaging, high-resolution chest CT imaging, and performance on sputum of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex/rifampin (RIF) nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), to improve diagnosis of stage-specific TB infection by examining how classification of TB status is associated with biomarker levels (only for participants with a positive TST and/or IGRA). Endpoints: Primary Endpoint: Frequency of positive results using the IGRA and TST. Secondary Endpoint: Proportion of each test type successfully completed and the result determined. Exploratory Endpoint: Repeat chest x-ray assessment, non-contrast chest CT assessment, sputum analysis by MTB/RIF NAAT assay, and analysis of serum by a CRISPR-Mtb-cfDNA assay.