Diagnostic Performance of Saliva Samples in Asymtomatic COVID-19 Infected Patients in Kakamega Kenya
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Date
2024-01
Authors
Njue, Lilian G.
Ali, Iddah M.
Menza, Nelson C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EASJID
Abstract
Abstract: The pandemic coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 in the world has caused a large
infected population suffering from COVID‐19. To curb the spreading of the virus,
WHO urgently demanded an extension of screening and testing; thus, a rapid and
simple diagnostic method is needed which is non-invasive. Use of self-collected
saliva can minimize healthcare worker exposure and expand testing capabilities for
symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The main aim of this study was to
document the ability of patients to self-collect sufficient saliva specimens for
SARS-CoV-2 in the quantitative detection by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase
Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in asymptomatic patients by themselves under
observation by a healthcare provider. The researcher recorded whether the patients
were confident and the suitability of the specimen for laboratory testing that would
inform clinical decision making. Seventy-one patients aged from 13 years and
above were included between December 2020 and July, 2021. Saliva samples and
Nasopharyngeal samples were taken from each patient. Quantitative PCR was
performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharyngeal samples and
qualitative Reverse Transcriptase Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RTLAMP) was used to detect the presence of the virus in saliva samples. Results of
saliva vs. nasopharyngeal samples testing using the two different methods were
compared. Statistical analyses were performed. Out of the 350 samples tested, 314
samples were found to be Covid 19 positive. Result of the test was validated by the
RT-PCR test. This showed that only 314 samples were tested both by saliva rapid
test and PCR test while the rest 36 samples were not tested using RT-PCR method
but were tested using saliva test. Thus, the salivary test based on pure oral saliva
samples easily obtained by noninvasive techniques using RT-LAMP has the same
agreement with the nasopharyngeal technique using RT-PCR one in asymptomatic
COVID-19 patients.
Description
Article
Keywords
SARS COV2, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Positivity Rate, Rt-lamp, Saliva
Citation
Njue, L. G., Ali, I. M., & Menza, N. C. (2024). Diagnostic Performance of Saliva Samples in Asymtomatic COVID-19 Infected Patients in Kakamega Kenya.