# High-sensitivity tongue swab testing for tuberculosis

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $272,125

## Abstract

This project will enable high-sensitivity testing of noninvasive oral swab samples for diagnosis of active
tuberculosis (TB). Pulmonary TB is usually detected by analysis of sputum, a viscous material from human
airways. Sputum collection presents exposure risks and many patients cannot routinely produce sputum for
testing, especially in community settings where most TB transmission occurs. In response to the need for
alternative, non-invasive sample types, we have demonstrated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA
can be detected on oral swabs (OS) by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. In TB OS, the tongue
dorsum is gently scraped with a disposable swab. The process is painless and requires just seconds.
“Sputum-scarce” people, who can have risk factors for TB but not yet symptoms, can easily be sampled.
Self-sampling is straightforward.
To further unlock the potential for this approach, the current project will develop and evaluate enhanced
swab sampling methods, using new sample processing technologies combined with a unique set of clinical
sample resources. Specific Aims are: 1) To develop and assess high-capacity OS testing for pulmonary TB;
and 2) To develop and assess protocols for testing serially collected and pooled OS samples for TB
screening.
TB OS has the potential to simplify TB diagnosis, improve the care of many TB patients, and enable active
case-finding strategies that will reduce TB transmission. Thus, this project could help transform the global fight
against TB.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10951385
- **Project number:** 1R21AI185407-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Gerard A Cangelosi
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $272,125
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-20 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10951385

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10951385, High-sensitivity tongue swab testing for tuberculosis (1R21AI185407-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10951385. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*