Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 4, 2021

Implications in the Quantification of SARS-CoV2 Copies in Concurrent Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Whole Mouth Fluid and Respiratory Droplets

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  • In a study of 55 patients with SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive nasopharyngeal (NPS) swabs, whole mouth fluid (WMF) samples had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 44 (80%) patients and had overall similar viral loads compared to NPS samples. Patients with severe disease course produced WMF samples with significantly higher virus copies. The authors suggest indicates that WMF, which is easier to collect, could be an alternative methods of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections in individuals a highest risk of severe disease. Respiratory droplet (RD) samples had detectable RNA in 17 (31%) patients and had higher viral loads when sourced from patients with increased IL-6.

Kannian et al. (Apr 30, 2021). Implications in the Quantification of SARS-CoV2 Copies in Concurrent Nasopharyngeal Swabs, Whole Mouth Fluid and Respiratory Droplets. Virus Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198442