January 21, 2021

Saliva Viral Load Better Correlates with Clinical and Immunological Profiles in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

Keywords (Tags): children, testing

Among 91 pediatric COVID-19 patients (<18 years) admitted to a hospital in Hong Kong, SARS-CoV-2 viral loads from saliva correlated better with clinical and immunological profiles than viral loads from nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS). Patients with cough, sputum production, and headache had significantly higher saliva, but not NPS, viral loads. Higher saliva, but not NPS, viral loads were associated with total lymphopenia, CD3 and CD4 lymphopenia.

Chua et al. (Jan 19, 2021). Saliva Viral Load Better Correlates with Clinical and Immunological Profiles in Children with Coronavirus Disease 2019. Emerging Microbes & Infections. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2021.1878937