preprint · medRxiv

Effects of oral hygiene and food intake on tongue swab testing for tuberculosis in South Africa

Angelique Kany Kany Luabeya
Paul Yager
Alaina M. Olson
Kate Hadley
Rachel C. Wood
Simba Mabwe
Kris Weigel
Mark Hatherill
Christel Petersen
Alexander J. Yan
Danelle van As
Gerard A. Cangelosi

2026Open accessUniversity of Cape Town

Abstract

Abstract The WHO has recommended tongue swabs (TS) as alternative samples for microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis. We evaluated the effects of oral hygiene and food/drink intake on TS performance in South Africa. Food/drink intake prior to sampling marginally decreased Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA signal strength, but neither behaviour decreased diagnostic sensitivity.

Research topics

Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
Data-Driven Disease Surveillance

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger

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DOI: 10.64898/2026.08.19.26360845

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