Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals novel plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathway dysregulation in latent tuberculosis infection

Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) acts as a silent reservoir for the global tuberculosis epidemic, yet current diagnostic tools often lack the specificity to fully capture the host's biological response. This study addresses this critical gap by using a multi-omics approach to decode the hidden metabolic changes in the blood. We discovered a unique "chemical fingerprint" consisting of five specific metabolites that can accurately distinguish latent infection from healthy states. Beyond providing a highly accurate diagnostic model, our findings reveal how the infection subtly reprograms host lipid and immune pathways. This work is significant because it offers a promising new tool for clinical screening and deepens our understanding of the metabolic interplay between the host and the pathogen, paving the way for better disease control strategies.