Clinical trials

This study aims to address critical diagnostic and data gaps in tuberculosis (TB) care among pregnant and postpartum women in Guinea-Bissau, a high-burden, resource-limited setting. Recognising that current TB screening during antenatal care (ANC) relies largely on unstructured symptom questions, the study will integrate more systematic and innovative approaches into routine maternal health services. The project will implement the Bandim TBscore II as a structured triage tool to classify symptom severity and guide referrals. To strengthen diagnostic capacity, two novel tools will be evaluated: stool-based GeneXpert testing (a method recommended in children and explored here as a feasible alternative for pregnant women) and artificial intelligence-powered chest X-ray interpretation software designed to enhance TB detection where radiological expertise is lacking. The study will also generate comprehensive, population-based data on TB and TB infection (TBI) among pregnant, postpartum women and women of reproductive age in Guinea-Bissau. The results are intended to inform health policy, both locally and in high-income countries, by providing evidence to improve TB screening protocols and care for this vulnerable group. Ultimately, the study seeks to develop scalable strategies that can be replicated across low- and middle-income countries to advance maternal and child health and support global TB eradication efforts.

As estimated by the WHO 10.6 million new Tuberculosis (TB) cases were identified in 2022- while more than three million went undetected and untreated. The low detection rate illustrates the failure to recognise and diagnose TB in the current cascade of healthcare and is a major obstacle to effective TB control programs. This multi-centre cluster-randomised clinical trial will evaluate the effect (i.e., diagnostic yield) of improving the point-of-care diagnostics already in place in most primary health-care centres in low-resource settings. The present study will be conducted in two different geographical settings in the Western and Eastern African countries of Guinea Bissau and Ethiopia. This improved clinical diagnostic pathway may improve case detection rates at primary healthcare level, ensuring prompt commencement of treatment, thereby diminishing transmission risk in the community and improving treatment outcomes. The Optimized Diagnostic Procedure (ODP) will utilize instructed sputum sampling and pooling as well as computer-aided detection (CAD) chest X-ray (CXR) and additional pooled sputum sample as well as non-sputum sampling (faecal and a buccal/tongue swab and saliva) for GeneXpert Ultra PCR (Xpert) as state-of-the-art add-ons to the routine diagnostic pathway for TB. This adds to the key components of the WHO "End TB" strategy - early diagnosis - and if successful, may be rapidly approved by the WHO and implemented by governments globally with potentially major public health benefits. The study will be conducted in close liaison with the national Ministries of Health and TB programs in Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia. This will facilitate any relevant findings to be taken forward for implementation into policy and practice. Capacity development, training and educational activities will be closely aligned to this study.

In Africa, the mortality from infectious diseases remains high. The investigators have discovered that live vaccines such as the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis and the measles vaccine can strengthen resistance to other infections: they have beneficial "non-specific effects". The investigators have now seen signs that these non-specific effects for children are stronger if their mother has been given the same vaccines. In Africa, BCG vaccine is recommended at birth and measles vaccine at 9 months of age. They are not used beyond childhood. The investigators will randomize 2400 women to BCG vaccine, measles vaccine, or placebo. The investigators will further randomize their children to an extra early measles vaccine or placebo. The investigators will assess which of the resulting six vaccination schedules are best for women's and children's protection against measles, for the child's immune system, and for general health. The project will be the first in the world to investigate the importance of vaccinating women with live vaccines.