Overview

• The ActCRISPR-TB assay combines isothermal amplification with Cas12a in a single tube and produces a lateral-flow paper-strip result in about 45 minutes.
• In tongue swabs, the test detected tuberculosis in 74% of cases versus 56% for traditional methods on the same specimens.
• Sensitivity reached 93% in respiratory samples, 83% in pediatric stool, and 93% in adult cerebrospinal fluid in the reported validation.
• The Nature Communications study assessed performance across more than 600 clinical specimens spanning multiple sample types.
• The assay missed 26% of sputum-positive cases when using tongue swabs, highlighting sampling variability and the need for real-world evaluation.