Tongue swab <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> qPCR for community screening of asymptomatic TB vs. clinic-based triage of symptomatic TB.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diagnostic performance of tongue swab Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR has been evaluated for facility-based triage of symptomatic tuberculosis (TB). It is unknown whether tongue swab performance differs for detection of asymptomatic TB in community-based screening.

Methods

Tongue swabs were collected from adult household contacts of TB patients (HHC Cohort), and symptomatic adults presenting to clinics with presumptive TB (Clinic Cohort), at eight South African sites. TB Cases were defined by positive sputum Xpert Ultra or liquid culture, performed in all participants; and matched ∼1:3 (HHC Cohort) or ∼1:2 (Clinic Cohort) to Controls without TB. Tongue swabs in both cohorts were tested by high-volume qPCR; and in the Clinic Cohort, also by sequence-specific

SUBMITTER: Wood RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12919145 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature