Genetic Susceptibility to Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most deadly infectious diseases in both the developing and developed world. Little is known about host genetic risk factors for developing active TB infection, particularly in highly endemic regions such as South Africa. To address this gap and empower a broader understanding of disease biology, we are conducting large-scale recruitment of 5000 cases and controls in the Northern Cape Province. The Northern Cape TB Project (NCTB) will generate deep genetic and immunological data from understudied populations of South Africa most severely affected by TB, where endemicity is extremely high but known environmental risk factors are relatively low.