Blood transcript signatures contrast active TB infection with latent M. infection

摘要

The present invention includes methods, systems and kits for distinguishing between active and latent mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the method including the steps of obtaining a patient gene expression dataset from a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis; sorting the patient gene expression dataset into one or more gene modules associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection; and comparing the patient gene expression dataset for each of the one or more gene modules to a gene expression dataset from a non-patient; wherein an increase or decrease in the totality of gene expression in the patient gene expression dataset for the one or more gene modules is indicative of active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.