October 14, 2020

Evaluation of Saliva Sampling Procedures for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics Reveals Differential Sensitivity and Association with Viral Load

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): candidate, report, summarize, testing

• [Preprint, not peer-reviewed] Saliva collection devices showed poor sensitivities for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Belgian outpatients. Saliva samples collected either by spitting into a commercial preservative (Norgen Biotek) or swabbing (DNA Genotek) had sensitivities of 31% and 22% when compared to individuals who were PCR-positive on nasopharyngeal swabs (N=107) from outpatient triage centers in Belgium. The sensitivity was improved when the cohort was restricted to samples with medium to high viral loads (97% and 77%, respectively). 

Mestdagh et al. (Oct 13, 2020). Evaluation of Saliva Sampling Procedures for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics Reveals Differential Sensitivity and Association with Viral Load. Pre-print downloaded Oct 14 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.06.20207902