A review of nasopharyngeal swab and saliva tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection: Disease timelines, relative sensitivities, and test optimization

Marylin Roque, Kevin Proudfoot, Vadim Mathys, Sophie Yu, Natalie Krieger, Thomas Gernon, Kash Gokli, Stanley Hamilton, Colin Cook, Yuman Fong

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Testing is an essential part of containment of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. This review summarizes studies for SARS-CoV-2 infection and testing. Nasopharyngeal samples are best at sensitivity detection, especially in early stages of disease and in asymptomatic individuals. Current swab processing involves a 100- to 1000-fold dilution of the patient sample. Future optimization of testing should focus on using smaller volumes of viral transport media and swab designs to increase comfort and increased viral adhesion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)465-475
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Surgical Oncology
Volume124
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • bronchitis
  • pharyngitis
  • pneumonia
  • respiratory infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oncology

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