Detection and characterization of putative Mtb within bioaerosols of confirmed TB patients.

(A) Plot comparing the number of putative Mtb detected within TB⁺ participants (red, n = 31) and empty RASC controls (orange, n = 27). Comparing distributions of (B) cell lengths and (C) cell widths in putative Mtb bacilli detected within bioaerosols of TB patients (red) to Mtb H37Rv cultured within the lab (green). Representative (D) images and (E) plots of the three distinct, exemplar cytological profiles from three patients in which putative Mtb were detected. (F) Average plots and idealised drawings indicating the different staining patterns of all bacilli detected in these three patients. (H) Polarity index and (I) length of the bacilli detected within these patients. (J) Representative images of clumps of putative Mtb detected within bioaerosol samples (TRDS182). Scale bar = 5 μm. Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test performed, p < 0.01 = **, < 0·001 = ***, p < 0,0001 = ****, NS = not significant.