Abstract
In this report, updated information and future perspectives about the use of saliva as a sample for laboratory analysis of the Covid-19 are highlighted. Saliva can be used for the direct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the quantification of the specific immunoglobulins produced against it, and for the evaluation of the non-specific, innate immune response of the patient. Moreover, a deeper knowledge of potential changes in the saliva proteome in this disease may allow the identification of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, or even help our understanding of the mechanisms associated with the disease. With the development of appropriate sample collection and processing methods and the use of adequate assays, saliva can provide useful clinical information about the disease and could be potentially included in guidelines for sample collection for the diagnosis, disease management, and control of Covid-19.
Highlights
A coronavirus, designated by the World Health Organization as 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading worldwide, producing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19)
Saliva appears to be a fluid of enormous potential in health assessment, especially due to the clinical information that it can provide and the non-invasive nature of its collection, which can be performed by individuals without particular training and with no major requirements in terms of equipment or facilities
Med. 2020, 9, 1491 with the description of salivary glands as potential reservoirs for Covid-19 in asymptomatic but infected people [15]. - Han et al [16] collected saliva from a 27-day-old neonate diagnosed with Covid-19 and reported values in the range of 105 copies/mL that were similar to the values obtained with pharyngeal swabs but lower than those from bronchoalveolar swabs
Summary
A coronavirus, designated by the World Health Organization as 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and by the Coronavirus Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been spreading worldwide, producing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Saliva has been increasingly used over the last few decades for evaluating human health It is an integrated mixture of secretions of the different salivary glands, desquamated oral epithelial cells, gingival crevicular fluid, and different microorganisms [3]. It contains a large number of proteins such as immunoglobulins, mucins, and enzymes, as well as metabolites, hormones, and electrolytes. The objective of this report is to provide updated information about the use of saliva as a sample for laboratory analysis in Covid-19 investigations For this purpose, the advantages of the use of this biofluid are described and the scientific evidence is presented, which supports the concept that the analysis of saliva in patients with Covid-19 could allow for the detection of the virus and antibodies produced against it, as well as the assessment of the non-specific, innate immune response. The possibility of the use of saliva for finding new biomarkers in this disease and some general recommendations that could contribute to a more appropriate use of this sample will be highlighted
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