Mycobacterial Programs
UT Tyler's leadership in mycobacterial diseases is grounded in a history that spans more than seven decades. The UT Tyler Health Science Center was originally established in the post-World War II era as a tuberculosis (TB) sanatorium. The institution later became the East Texas Tuberculosis Hospital—one of the region’s most prominent centers for TB care. As therapies advanced and the epidemiology of TB shifted, the hospital evolved into a modern health science center and ultimately into The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine.
This rich history in TB care laid the foundation for UT Tyler’s continued national leadership in mycobacterial diseases. Through a longstanding charter, UT Tyler maintains historic and operational connections to two major statewide TB programs based in San Antonio.
- The Texas Center for Infectious Diseases (TCID) - a state-run, inpatient TB hospital provides specialized care for patients with complex, drug-resistant or regaractory tuberculosis.
- TB Heartland - an outpatient and public health TB program dedicated to training, education, clinical support and applied research in TB prevention and control.
We also oversee the regional Hansen's Disease Clinic in San Antonio, continuing our longstanding commitment to the diagnosis, management and study of leprosy, and further reflecting our enduring commitment to vulnerable patient populations.
Central to the Mycobacterial Program is the Mycobacteria/Nocardia Research and Clinical Reference Laboratory, founded in 1982. This nationally and internationally recognized laboratory provides identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Nocardia, and other aerobic actinomycetes, serving clinicians, hospitals, and public health agencies across the country.
Complementing these clinical and diagnostic strengths, UT Tyler also participates in several ongoing clinical trials focused on NTM and related pulmonary diseases. These research efforts—supported by federal, state and industry partnerships—have helped to advance innovations in TB, NTM, antimicrobial resistance and clinical diagnostics.
Together, these interconnected enterprises form one of the most robust and comprehensive mycobacterial programs in the nation, rooted in historic expertise and driven by a mission to improve patient outcomes and advance the science of mycobacterial diseases.