BMC to Launch Pilot Project Using Tongue Swabs for Faster TB Detection

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is set to revolutionise tuberculosis screening in Mumbai by launching a pilot project that utilises tongue swabs instead of traditional sputum samples. Recognizing that many patients, especially children and those in early stages of the disease, struggle to produce enough sputum for testing, the civic body is exploring this non-invasive “swab-based” method. The process involves gently rubbing a sterile swab over the surface of the tongue to collect cellular debris and bacteria, which is then analyzed using rapid molecular diagnostic tools like GeneXpert.

If successful, this pilot could significantly increase the “case notification rate” by making testing easier in community settings and crowded primary health centers. Health officials noted that sputum-free diagnostics are a major step toward the goal of eliminating TB, as they reduce the risk of aerosol transmission during sample collection and are much more comfortable for the patient. The BMC plans to roll out the project in select wards initially, comparing the accuracy of tongue swabs against gold-standard sputum tests to determine if this faster, simpler method can be scaled up across the city’s vast public health network.