tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Acta Paediatr
. 2021 Jul 29.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16049. Online ahead of print.
Saliva is inferior to nose and throat swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection in children
Marie-Louise von Linstow[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alexandra Kruse[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nikolai Kirkby[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lillian Marie Søes[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ulrikka Nygaard[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anja Poulsen[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
It is important to identify children and adolescents infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as they are often asymptomatic and may unintentionally spread the virus. However, information on the best sampling methods are limited. Most analyse nose and throat swabs with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but these tests are uncomfortable and young children may not co-operate, increasing sub-optimal sample collection and false-negative results. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in adult saliva, using RT-PCR[SUP]1,2[/SUP] has shown promise. However, young children struggle to produce saliva spontaneously and there have been conflicting results about using this method for children.[SUP]3,4[/SUP] In contrast, oral swabs cause minimal discomfort, do not generate aerosols, collect adequate viral material[SUP]5[/SUP] and can be used by parents or day care staff without personal protective equipment.
. 2021 Jul 29.
doi: 10.1111/apa.16049. Online ahead of print.
Saliva is inferior to nose and throat swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection in children
Marie-Louise von Linstow[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alexandra Kruse[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nikolai Kirkby[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lillian Marie Søes[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Ulrikka Nygaard[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anja Poulsen[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34324722
- DOI: 10.1111/apa.16049
Abstract
It is important to identify children and adolescents infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as they are often asymptomatic and may unintentionally spread the virus. However, information on the best sampling methods are limited. Most analyse nose and throat swabs with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but these tests are uncomfortable and young children may not co-operate, increasing sub-optimal sample collection and false-negative results. Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in adult saliva, using RT-PCR[SUP]1,2[/SUP] has shown promise. However, young children struggle to produce saliva spontaneously and there have been conflicting results about using this method for children.[SUP]3,4[/SUP] In contrast, oral swabs cause minimal discomfort, do not generate aerosols, collect adequate viral material[SUP]5[/SUP] and can be used by parents or day care staff without personal protective equipment.