New Swab Test Could Detect Tuberculosis In Under 1 Hour

A new tongue swab test for tuberculosis (TB) could revolutionize global diagnosis by eliminating the need for sputum samples, a major barrier in current testing methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recommended the portable molecular device, which delivers results in under one hour and operates in remote healthcare settings without advanced lab infrastructure. TB remains the world’s leading infectious killer, claiming over one million lives annually, with millions of cases undiagnosed due to difficulties in sputum collection. The test uses a simple tongue swab to detect *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, the bacterium causing TB, and was evaluated in studies involving nearly 1,400 symptomatic patients across Africa and Asia. Researchers found it met WHO performance targets for rapid and accurate detection, making it particularly useful for children, the elderly, HIV-positive individuals, and asymptomatic patients who often cannot produce adequate sputum. Traditional TB diagnosis relies on sputum samples, which 25% to 40% of symptomatic patients struggle to provide. The new method addresses this gap, enabling faster treatment and reducing disease transmission. The portable device runs on battery power, expanding access in rural clinics and low-resource regions where lab facilities are limited. The WHO’s endorsement highlights the test’s potential to close diagnostic gaps, especially in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. By simplifying sample collection and speeding up results, the innovation could accelerate global efforts to combat TB, a preventable yet persistent killer.