Research Projects

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe type of tuberculosis with a high mortality rate of approximately 30%. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and prognosis, but current diagnostic methods and existing markers are insufficient. Novel biomarker identification is essential to increase sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. Understanding the miRNA expression profile in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with TBM can help in early diagnosis and develop novel therapeutic targets. The study aims to identify the differentially-expressed circulating microRNA profile in plasma and CSF of patients with TBM compared to controls, identify the expressed miRNA target genes, and determine whether differentially expressed miRNA in TBM patients aids in TBM diagnosis. The hypothesis is that modulation of miRNA expression is a strategy used by bacterial pathogens to survive within host immune cells. Disease-associated miRNAs represent a new class of diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. The main experiment will involve collecting serum and CSF samples from patients with TBM and comparing them with disease controls and healthy controls. The study will provide valuable information on miRNA expression in plasma and CSF in TBM, the usefulness of non-invasive samples in diagnosing, and the use of these miRNAs in routine clinical practice.