Research progress in circulating cell-free DNA detection for tuberculosis diagnosis

doi:10.19871/j.cnki.xfcrbzz.2026.04.015

Abstract

Abstract: Tuberculosis remains a major global public health challenge. Although molecular detection techniques have advanced in recent years, existing diagnostic methods still have limitations in terms of sensitivity, detection speed, and biosafety. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more precise, efficient, and rapid new diagnostic strategies for tuberculosis. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), a highly fragmented DNA present in human blood circulation and free from cells, has emerged as a promising novel biomarker. Among these, mycobacterium tuberculosis cfDNA (MTB-cfDNA) can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the host and shows potential for the early and precise diagnosis of tuberculosis. This review systematically summarizes the application progress of MTB-cfDNA detection technology in tuberculosis diagnosis from the perspectives of technical comparison, clinical diagnostic application, sample types, and technological optimization. It further discusses the processing techniques, detection efficiency, and applicable scenarios of MTB-cfDNA in different clinical sample types, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis..

Key words: Tuberculosis, Circulating cell-free DNA, Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating cell-free DNA, Circulating cell-free DNA diagnostic technology

CLC Number:

R521
R378.91

Zhang Yu, Huang Hua, Wang Weihua, Tan Ying. Research progress in circulating cell-free DNA detection for tuberculosis diagnosis[J]. Electronic Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2026, 11(4): 95-100.

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