TB-NET #1 TIGRA in Immunocompromised PatientS (TIPS)
Principal Investigator: Martina Sester (Germany)

This project has lead to one large and well designed multicenter trial on the performance of IGRA in patients with immunosuppression. The protocol is followed at different TBNET centers in Europe. The study is currently being prepared for publication and follow up of the cohort for 2 years post intial testing is underway.

TB-NET #2 Use of IGRA as a predictor for the progression from latent infection with M.tuberculosis to tuberculosis in a European cohort
Principal investigator: Jean Pierre Zellweger (Switzerland)

Based on the experience with the Swiss database, this study will compare the performance of MTB-specific IGRA in contact tracing in different European countries. This study will yield information on the actual number of persons infected with MTB who will develop subsequently tuberculosis, allowing a more precise estimate of the breakdown rate. Until now 2312 contacts from 8 European countries have been included. The inclusion of new contacts will proceed untill the end of March 2012.

TB-NET #16 A database for paediatric tuberculosis in Europe
Principal investigator: Beate Kampmann (UK)

This study was facilitated by the award of the TBNET Grant 2010. The project started in October 2010. The data-base will include (1) demographic characteristics (2) information about active TB and Microbiology (3) LTB (4)Follow-up (5) children with TB contact but not treated and (6) adverse events of treatment.

TB-NET #17 The negative prospective value of IGRA for the diagnosis of latent TB in children in Europe
Principal investigator: Beate Kampmann (UK)

The study started with the hypothesis that a negative IGRA at time of screening following a known contact with active tuberculosis is a reliable indicator for absence of LTBI in children, and therefore, children with negative IGRA would not need to take chemoprophylaxis. The aim is to enrol more then 600 children in a multi-centre study. The project is currently based in the UK, but other centres are invited to share the protocols.

TB-NET #18 TB patients' perceptions of their illness by implementation of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ)
Principal investigator: Dragica Pesut (Serbia)

The BIPQ is a 9-item questionnaire: its higher score reflects a more threatening view of the illness. 167 TB patients from Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic and India were enrolled from October 2008 to October 2010. Results are currently being prepared for publication.

TB-NET #23 FIAT 500 study (False negative Igra results in Active Tuberculosis
Principal Investigator: Aik Bossink (The Netherlands)

In this study the hypothesis "the risk factors for false negative IGRA results are host dependant" is investigated in cooperation with 25 international centres. 596 patients out of 872 could be included. Analysis of the data and preparation for the manuscript are in progress.