TB Breath Test Proposal

20.109 WF Pink Team Research Proposal

TB Breath Test

Project Overview:

Developing a novel biosensor device to diagnose Tuberculosis infection quickly and efficiently

Background

Disease background

-Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

-can be fatal

-usually affects the lungs, but can also affect brain, kidneys, spine

-symptoms include weight loss, night sweats, fever, chills, coughing (blood), chest pain

-latent vs active infection

-becomes active if immune system cannot repress growth

-5-10% of latent cases will become active

-2 widely used current tests:

-Mantoux TB skin test injects a small amount of tuberculin into the skin

-patient must return to clinic 48/72 hours later for evaluation of injection site

-TB blood test (interferon-gamma release assay) measures immune system reaction to TB bacteria

Problem/Goals Statement:

Details/Method:

Predicted Outcomes:

Resources: