2022 · Bulletin of the World Health Organization · open access
Saliva-based methods for SARS-CoV-2 testing in low- and middle-income countries
Tan et al.
The finding, in our words
Saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 testing enables patient self-collection and reduces resource burden compared with swab methods, making it suitable for decentralised surveillance in low- and middle-income countries. The paper identifies a critical gap between demonstrated effectiveness and real-world implementation, calling for targeted research to overcome regulatory and operational barriers.
A paraphrase to the Library’s standard, never the abstract. The source is one link away and is always the authority.
Pooled RT-qPCR of self-collected saliva from 824 asymptomatic employees identified two SARS-CoV-2 positives; one positive was detectable only by an amplification trend without a Ct value. A survey of 471 participants revealed that most would accept regular screening only if free or low-cost, supporting pooled saliva testing as a rapid, efficient, and inexpensive method for frequent large-scale decentralised screening.
A two‑tier decentralised testing strategy using self‑collected saliva pools detected SARS‑CoV‑2 with higher sensitivity than a commercial IVD RT‑qPCR test and enabled identification of asymptomatic cases at lower cost.
Saliva self-collection with TRIzol extraction matched nasopharyngeal swab performance for SARS-CoV-2 detection while enabling room-temperature storage without specialised tubes, offering a lower-cost decentralised option suitable for large-scale screening programmes.
This study validated a low-cost 3D-printed smartphone attachment and paper sensor for measuring glucose, uric acid and cholesterol in saliva, demonstrating high correlation with standard ELISA results in a small clinical cohort. The authors suggest this platform offers a scalable solution for decentralised diabetes management by balancing sensitivity with affordability.
Yang et al., Biosensors & bioelectronics (paywalled) · source ↗
The study found that self-collected dried saliva on FishburneTabs achieved 92% accuracy for viral RNA detection compared to standard liquid saliva samples. This method supports decentralised testing by enabling reliable sample storage and transport for upper respiratory infections.
Mora et al., ACS measurement science au · source ↗