Could a swab or a cough sound diagnose TB in kids?

NCT ID NCT05989802

Recruiting now Diagnosis Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study is testing new, non-invasive ways to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) in children under 15. Researchers will evaluate oral swabs, cough sound analysis, and lung sound analysis as potential alternatives to sputum tests. The goal is to find faster, simpler, and cheaper diagnostic tools to help reduce the 230,000 childhood TB deaths that occur each year. The study will enroll about 2,100 children at clinics in high-burden settings.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Oral swab molecular testing, automated cough sound analysis, automated lung sound analysis
What this could lead to: If successful, these tests could provide faster, simpler, and cheaper ways to diagnose TB in children, potentially saving many young lives.
What could go wrong: This is a diagnostic accuracy study, not a treatment trial. The new tests may not be accurate enough to replace current methods, and results may not apply to all settings.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

tuberculosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DIAGNOSTICS GLOBAL HEALTH TUBERCULOSIS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dora Nginza Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Cape Town, South Africa
Instituto Nacional de Saúde
RECRUITING

Maputo, Mozambique
Mulago National Referral Hospital
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Kampala, Uganda

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