학술논문
Saliva is superior over nasopharyngeal swab for detecting SARS-CoV2 in COVID-19 patients.
Document Type
Article
Author
Beyene, Getachew Tesfaye; Alemu, Fekadu; Kebede, Eyerusalem Solomon; Alemayehu, Dawit Hailu; Seyoum, Tamirayehu; Tefera, Dessalegn Abeje; Assefa, Gebeyehu; Tesfaye, Abebech; Habte, Anteneh; Bedada, Gadissa; Tegene, Birhanemeskel; Yeshambaw, Melese; Wassie, Liya; Mihret, Adane; Abdissa, Alemseged; Mulu, Andargachew
Source
Subject
*COVID-19
*SARS-CoV-2
*SALIVA
*VIRAL shedding
*VIRAL load
*PANDEMICS
*HOSPITAL admission & discharge
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Language
ISSN
2045-2322
Abstract
Scaling up of diagnostic capacity is needed to mitigate the global pandemic of SARS-CoV2. However, there are challenges including shortage of sample collection swabs and transport medium. Saliva has been recommended as a simple, low-cost, non-invasive option. However, data from different populations and settings are limited. Here, we showed that saliva could be a good alternative sample to diagnose COVID-19 patients. Pair of NPS-saliva samples was collected from 152 symptomatic; confirmed COVID-19 patients, and compared their positivity rate, viral load, and duration of viral shedding. From 152 patients, 80 (52.63%) tested positive and 72 (47.37%) were negative for SARSA-CoV2 in NPS sample. In saliva, 129 (92.14%) were tested positive and 11 (7.86%) were negative on the day of admission to hospital. The overall percent agreement of RT-PCR result of Saliva to NPS was 70% (196/280). A comparison of viral load from 72 NPS-saliva pair samples on day of admission shows saliva contains significantly higher viral load (P < 0.001). In conclusion, saliva has higher yield in detecting SARS-CoV2, and COVID-19 patients show higher viral load and prolonged period of viral shedding in saliva. Therefore, we recommend saliva as a better alternative sample to NPS to diagnose COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]