Saliva Alternative to Upper Respiratory Swabs for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis
Rachel L. Byrne, Grant A. Kay, Konstantina Kontogianni, Ghaith Aljayyoussi, Lottie Brown, Andrea M. Collins, Luís E. Cuevas, Daniela M. Ferreira, Alice J. Fraser, Gala Garrod, Helen Hill, Grant L. Hughes, Stefanie K. Menzies, Elena Mitsi, Sophie I. Owen, Edward I. Patterson, Christopher T. Williams, Angela Hyder-Wright, Emily R. Adams, Ana I. Cubas-Atienzar
Abstract
PCR of upper respiratory specimens is the diagnostic standard for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. However, saliva sampling is an easy alternative to nasal and throat swabbing. We found similar viral loads in saliva samples and in nasal and throat swab samples from 110 patients with coronavirus disease.
Topics & Concepts
SalivaThroatRespiratory systemMedicineSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)VirologyCoronavirus2019-20 coronavirus outbreakViral loadInternal medicineVirusDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakSurgerySARS-CoV-2 detection and testingBiosensors and Analytical DetectionSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research