Consistent Detection of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Saliva

Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Jul 28;71(15):841-843. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa149.

Abstract

The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was detected in the self-collected saliva of 91.7% (11/12) of patients. Serial saliva viral load monitoring generally showed a declining trend. Live virus was detected in saliva by viral culture. Saliva is a promising noninvasive specimen for diagnosis, monitoring, and infection control in patients with 2019-nCoV infection.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus; COVID-19; diagnostics; saliva; transmission; viral load.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Betacoronavirus / isolation & purification*
  • COVID-19
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Female
  • Hong Kong
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Saliva / virology*
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Load / methods