Adding saliva testing to oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab testing increases PCR detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in primary care and children

• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51188
• Publication Date: 2021-07-21T00:43:33Z
• Authors: Jane Oliver; Shidan Tosif; Lai‐yang Lee; Anna‐Maria Costa; Chelsea Bartel; Katherine Last; Vanessa Clifford; Andrew Daley; Nicole Allard; Catherine Orr; Ashley Nind; Karyn Alexander; Niamh Meagher; Michelle Sait; Susan A Ballard; Eloise Williams; Katherine Bond; Deborah A Williamson; Nigel W Crawford; Katherine B Gibney
• Keywords: Concordance

Objective To compare the concordance and acceptability of saliva testing with standard-of-care oropharyngeal bilateral deep nasal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children general practice. Design Prospective multicentre diagnostic validation study. Setting Royal Children's Hospital, two practices (cohealth, West Melbourne; Cirqit Health, Altona North) Melbourne, July–October 2020. Participants 1050 people who provided paired oropharyngeal-nasal swabs SARS-CoV-2 testing. Main outcome measures Numbers cases which was detected either specimen type by real-time polymerase chain reaction; results specimens; positive percent agreement (PPA) virus detection, type. Results 54 assessable specimens (5%), including 19 (35%) both were positive. The overall PPA 72% (95% CI, 58–84%) 63% 49–76%) swabs. For 35 from aged 10 years or more, 86% 70–95%) 45–79%) Adding to increased case detection 59% 29–95%). Providing preferred an most participants (75%), 141 153 under age (92%). Conclusion In over adults, alone may be suitable while 10, as adjunct increasing detection.