Diagnostic Yield of Saliva for SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Testing in Children
Dithi Banerjee, Anjana Sasidharan, Ayah Abdulhamid, Esmeralda M Orosco, Jennifer L. Watts, Jennifer E. Schuster, Angela Myers, Gina Weddle, Rangaraj Selvarangan
Abstract
Pediatric saliva specimen demonstrated high sensitivity (93%) and specificity (96.2%) compared to paired nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) by Aptima SARS-CoV-2 Assay (Aptima). Viral loads were comparable in both specimen types. Saliva is a safe, noninvasive, and acceptable alternative specimen for SARS-CoV-2 detection in children.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineSalivaSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakVirologyInternal medicineOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniquesBiosensors and Analytical Detection