ArticlePloS one2025
Challenges, innovations and considerations for the use of tongue swabs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- A one-pot biplex RPA-Cas assay for sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from tongue swabs.Scientific reports · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSputum-based testing is most used for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), but non-sputum specimens such as tongue swabs (TS) offer additional approaches for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). This two-phase study evaluated various storage, transport, and processing conditions to improve MTBC detection using TS tested on quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra).
methodsAdults (≥18 years) with Ultra-positive sputum were enrolled at a healthcare facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. In Phase 1, five serial TS were collected per participant and transported "dry" at 2-8°C, to the testing laboratory. In Phase 2, seven TS were collected: three stored "dry," two in Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer, and two in PrimeStore® Molecular Transport Medium (MTM). Across both phases, pre-testing methods included heat lysis (HL)-only or HL combined with vortex bead beating (VBB), and storage at varying temperatures before qPCR. Swabs stored in MTM were tested on Ultra.
resultsA paired t-test revealed no statistically significant differences in Ct values between sequentially collected TS (adjusted p > 0.05). Similarly, mean IS6110/IS1081 Ct values did not differ between fresh and frozen samples (t (85) = -0.031, p = 0.98; 95% CI: -0.44 to 0.43). VBB significantly reduced Ct values compared to HL alone (t (85) = -9.67, p = 2.422 x 10-15; 95% CI: -2.44 to -1.61). While storage conditions influenced Ct value and consistency to some extent, mean Ct values varied slightly from 32.48-34.28. Ultra detection improved when TS were processed with MTM and SR buffer.
conclusionsMTBC detection from serially collected TS was variable, but Ct values were consistent across swab order and storage conditions. VBB improved yield on qPCR, and Ultra detection was enhanced with diluted SR buffer, highlighting the value of optimized processing. These findings support the continued development of TS-based TB diagnostics.
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