Diagnostic accuracy of fresh drooled saliva for SARS-CoV-2 in travelers
| Main Authors: | Alif Adlan Mohd Thabit, Kalaiarasu M. Peariasamy, Pei Xuan Kuan, Denisa Khoo Fern Ying, Nelson Nheu, Camille Cyncynatus, Muhamad Afiq Mu'iz Arifin, Amira Naziffa Shamsuddin, Mohd Asri Yamin, Muhammad Ashraf Mohd Padzil, Ganeswrie Rajasekaram, Martin Giddy, Sivasooriar Sivaneson, Harvinder Kaur Lakhbeer Singh, Adleen Azman, Afifah Haji Hassan, Suresh Kumar Chidambaram |
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| Format: | Article Journal |
| Bahasa: | eng |
| Terbitan: |
, 2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/5168310 |
Daftar Isi:
- Background The standard for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs. Major airports require COVID-19 screening, and saliva has the potential as a substitute specimen for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. We investigated the utility of fresh drooled saliva against NPS for COVID-19 screening of travelers. Methods We recruited 81 travelers and 15 non-travelers (including ten controls) prospectively within a mean of 3⋅22 days of RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. Each study participant provided 2 mls of early morning fresh drooled whole saliva separately into a sterile plastic container and GeneFiXTM saliva collection kit. The saliva specimens were processed within 4 h and tested for SARS-CoV-2 genes (E, RdRP, and N2) and the results compared to paired NPS RT-PCR for diagnostic accuracy. Results Majority of travellers were asymptomatic (75⋅0%) with a mean age of 34⋅26 years. 77 travelers were RT-PCR positive at the time of hospitalization whilst three travelers had positive contacts. In this group, the detection rate for SARS-CoV-2 with NPS, whole saliva, and GeneFiXTM were comparable (89⋅3%, 50/56; 87⋅8%, 43/49; 89⋅6%, 43/48). Both saliva collection methods were in good agreement (Kappa = 0⋅69). There was no statistical difference between the detection rates of saliva and NPS (p > 0⋅05). Detection was highest for the N2 gene whilst the E gene provided the highest viral load (mean = 27⋅96 to 30⋅10, SD = 3⋅14 to 3⋅85). Saliva specimens have high sensitivity (80⋅4%) and specificity (90⋅0%) with a high positive predictive value of 91⋅8% for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Conclusion Saliva for SARS-CoV-2 screening is a simple accurate technique comparable with NPS RT-PCR.