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High-sensitivity tongue swab testing for tuberculosis

Award Number: R21AI185407
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/20/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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High-sensitivity tongue swab testing for tuberculosis - This project will enable high-sensitivity testing of noninvasive oral swab samples for diagnosis of active tuberculosis (TB). Pulmonary TB is usually detected by analysis of sputum, a viscous material from human airways. Sputum collection presents exposure risks and many patients cannot routinely produce sputum for testing, especially in community settings where most TB transmission occurs. In response to the need for alternative, non-invasive sample types, we have demonstrated that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) DNA can be detected on oral swabs (OS) by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. In TB OS, the tongue dorsum is gently scraped with a disposable swab. The process is painless and requires just seconds. “Sputum-scarce” people, who can have risk factors for TB but not yet symptoms, can easily be sampled. Self-sampling is straightforward. To further unlock the potential for this approach, the current project will develop and evaluate enhanced swab sampling methods, using new sample processing technologies combined with a unique set of clinical sample resources. Specific Aims are: 1) To develop and assess high-capacity OS testing for pulmonary TB; and 2) To develop and assess protocols for testing serially collected and pooled OS samples for TB screening. TB OS has the potential to simplify TB diagnosis, improve the care of many TB patients, and enable active case-finding strategies that will reduce TB transmission. Thus, this project could help transform the global fight against TB.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON	4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE	SEATTLE	WA	98195	KING	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	11/26/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $155,500 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON	4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE	SEATTLE	WA	98195	KING	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	3/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$155,500
														Subtotal = $155,500

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $272,125 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON	4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE	SEATTLE	WA	98195	KING	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/20/2024	NEW	$244,913
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON	4333 BROOKLYN AVE NE	SEATTLE	WA	98195	KING	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	1	9/11/2024	NEW	$27,212
														Subtotal = $272,125

Grand Total All Awards = $427,625

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High-sensitivity tongue swab testing for tuberculosis

Award Number: R21AI185407

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/20/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2026

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