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Review
. 2021 May 20;9(2):38.
doi: 10.3390/diseases9020038.

Saliva Exhibits High Sensitivity and Specificity for the Detection of SARS-COV-2

Ibrahim Warsi  1   2 , Zohaib Khurshid  3 , Hamda Shazam  4 , Muhammad Farooq Umer  5 , Eisha Imran  6 , Muhammad Owais Khan  7 , Paul Desmond Slowey  8   9 , J Max Goodson  2   10
Affiliations
Review

Saliva Exhibits High Sensitivity and Specificity for the Detection of SARS-COV-2

Ibrahim Warsi et al. Diseases. .

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to assess the application of a multitude of effective diagnostic specimens for conducting mass testing, for accurate diagnosis and to formulate strategies for its prevention and control. As one of the most versatile and amenable specimen options, saliva offers great advantages for widespread screening strategies due to its non-invasive properties, cost-effectiveness, excellent stability and minimal risk of cross-infection. This review attempts to outline the scientific rationale for detection of SARS-COV-2 in saliva specimens. By combining the data obtained from ten chosen published clinical studies, we calculated the pooled sensitivity and specificity using an online calculator. Through evidence, we established that SARS-COV-2 is detectable in saliva with a high degree of diagnostic sensitivity (87%) and specificity (98%). We also presented a review of emerging technologies approved by the FDA for detection of SARS-COV-2 in oral fluids (saliva and sputum) using polymerase chain reaction methods. Given the challenges involved in obtaining invasive specimens from the naso- and oropharynx, saliva can serve as an easy to collect diagnostic specimen for screening in the work environment, schools and for home testing. Furthermore, saliva offers the opportunity to screen early cases that can be missed by invasive sampling.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; diagnosis; infection; polymerase chain reaction; saliva.

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Conflict of interest statement

PDS is the CEO of Oasis Diagnostics Corporation, a saliva technology company. The rest of the contributors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Possible trajectories for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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