A protein signature associated with active tuberculosis identified by plasma profiling and network-based analysis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) affects millions globally, with high mortality and transmission rates.
• Current diagnostic methods often rely on sputum, leading to delays and continued spread.
• Novel diagnostic biomarkers are crucial for timely intervention and disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify plasma protein biomarkers associated with active tuberculosis (TB).
• To develop a potential non-sputum-based diagnostic signature for TB.

Main Methods:

• Assessed plasma protein levels (n=92) in individuals with active TB, latent TB, and healthy controls.
• Utilized co-expression network analysis to identify TB-associated protein modules.
• Filtered protein modules to establish a robust 12-protein signature.

Main Results:

• A specific module of proteins strongly correlated with active TB was identified.
• A 12-protein plasma signature was established, excluding low-abundance or non-TB-related proteins.
• This signature showed high enrichment in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB cases and correlated with disease severity.

Conclusions:

• A 12-protein plasma signature serves as a promising biomarker for active TB detection.
• This signature could facilitate the development of novel, non-sputum-based diagnostic tools.
• Early and accurate TB diagnosis via these biomarkers may help reduce disease transmission.