By developing blood biomarkers and «
immunologic signatures» related to antigen - specific T - cell
responses, the researchers hope to identify individuals with latent TB infection who are at greatest risk for progression to active disease, allowing development of prevention strategies to target those at highest risk in areas with high rates of infection (usually low - and middle - income countries), as well as high income countries such as the U.S., where factors such as recent infection and HIV co-infection are associated with an
increased risk of progression to active TB.