Could a tongue swab replace sputum tests for TB?
NCT ID NCT07517471
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This large study in five countries will test new, portable diagnostic tools for tuberculosis (TB) that use tongue swabs and AI-assisted chest X-rays. The goal is to see if these faster, easier tests can find more TB cases, especially in people who have no symptoms or can't produce sputum. The trial will enroll about 37,000 adults and adolescents at health facilities in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Near point-of-care NAATs and low-complexity NAATs (diagnostic tests)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could make TB diagnosis faster and easier, catching more cases early and reducing spread in communities.
- What could go wrong
- The new tests may be less accurate than current methods, and the trial is still in early stages. Results may vary across different countries and 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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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