Comparison Between Saliva and Nasopharyngeal Sample in Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR

Fernando Parada Fernández; Diego Fonseca Escobar; Melissa Carvajal Guzmán & Cristóbal Sepúlveda Verdugo

Summary

The type 2 coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, named by the WHO like COVID-19, has expanded causing a pandemic since 2019, with no cure to date. The mechanism of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans is through secretions generated during breathing and sneezing, presenting with an incubation period range from 1 - 14 days. Fever, cough, and fatigue are described as the most common symptoms. The definitive diagnosis is achieved through the correlation between the clinical presentation and the complementary exams, but at present, the preferred sampling method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is through a nasopharyngeal swab specimen, where it is analyzed the presence of viral genetic material by the RT-PCR. Due to the complications in obtaining the sample, both for health personnel and for the patient, the saliva sample has been implemented, as a method that provides rapid, simple and non-invasive detection of viral infection. This diagnostic alternative could provide information on the pathogenesis of the disease, the management and control of positive patients. The following article aims to make a comparison between the saliva and nasopharyngeal samples taken for the diagnosis of SARSCoV-2, using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR).

KEY WORDS: saliva; RT-PCR, nasopharyngeal swab, SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19.

How to cite this article

PARADA, F. F.; FONSECA, E. D.; CARVAJAL, G. M. & SEPÚLVEDA, V. C. Comparison between saliva and nasopharyngeal sample in detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RTPCR. Int. J. Odontostomat., 14(4):540-543, 2020.