Validity and reliability of immunochromatographic IgM/IgG rapid tests for COVID‐19 salivary diagnosis

Abstract

Viral genetic sequencing using real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the most widely used technique for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to its high sensitivity and specificity in cases of acute infection (Wang et al., 2020). However, qRT-PCR tests can be labor-intensive, requiring specialized equipment and a centralized laboratory, which increases the wait time for the results and the costs (Dinnes et al., 2021). In a systematic review, Mallet et al. (2020) demonstrated that the rate of qRT-PCR test false-negative results increases in nasopharyngeal samples collected 10 days after symptom onset. In this way, rapid immunochromatographic tests present a complementary diagnostic method, helping to identify infected patients (Dinnes et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2020). Available rapid tests benefit from screening larger populations, with and without symptoms, in locations other than healthcare settings and would provide a faster diagnosis to allow early prevention of COVID-19 spread (Dinnes et al., 2021).

Mapping of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG in gingival crevicular fluid: Antibody dynamics and linkage to severity of COVID-19 in hospital inpatients

“…There has been a rapid evolution of antibody diagnostics over the course of the COVID19 pandemic encompassing a range of assay formats and investigating multiple targets. Whilst serum/plasma samples remain the gold standard for antibody detection, other non-venous analytes including DBS [20][21][22] and saliva [23][24][25] have been successfully utilised for the detection and monitoring of antibody responses. Gingival crevicular fluid has some useful advantages over these analytes.…”

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and inflammatory cytokines in saliva-a pilot study

“… 16 However, less is known how SARS CoV-2 antibody titers in the saliva correlate with those measured in the serum. 17 , 18 , 19 The SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with marked increase in serum cytokines that promote tissue damage and inflammation (cytokine storm) in severely ill patients 20 ; however, the response of salivary and serum cytokines to SARS- CoV-2 infection induced oral manifestations has not yet been studied in depth. 21 Our primary objective was to determine whether COVID-19 PCR positive patients with xerostomia or loss of taste had altered serum or specific saliva cytokine levels compared to COVID-19 positive patients without those oral symptoms.…”