Direct RT-qPCR Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva Samples

Tarantini, Francesco Saverio; Wu, Siyu; Jenkins, Harry; Lopez, Ana Tellechea; Tomlin, Hannah; Hyde, Ralph; Lis-Slimak, Katarzyna; Thompson, Jamie Louise; Pijuan-Galitó, Sara; Scales, Danielle; Kaneko, Kazuyo; Dey, Jayasree; Park, Emily; Hill, Jack; Lee, I. Ning; Doolan, Lara; Arendt-Tranholm, Asta; Denning, Chris; Seedhouse, Claire; Benest, Andrew V.

Abstract

Since mid-2020 there have been complexities and difficulties in the standardisation and administration of nasopharyngeal swabs. Coupled with the variable and/or poor accuracy of lateral flow devices, this has led to increased societal ‘testing fatigue’ and reduced confidence in test results. Consequently, asymptomatic individuals have developed reluctance towards repeat testing, which remains the best way to monitor COVID-19 cases in the wider population. On the other hand, saliva-based PCR, a non-invasive, highly sensitive, and accurate test suitable for everyone, is gaining momentum as a straightforward and reliable means of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Here, we provide an itemised list of the equipment and reagents involved in the process of sample submission, inactivation and analysis, as well as a detailed description of how each of these steps is performed.

Citation

Tarantini, F. S., Wu, S., Jenkins, H., Lopez, A. T., Tomlin, H., Hyde, R., …Benest, A. V. (2022). Direct RT-qPCR Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva Samples. Methods and Protocols, 5(2), Article 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/mps5020025

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 7, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 7, 2022
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2022
• Journal: Methods and Protocols
• Electronic ISSN: 2409-9279
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 25
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/mps5020025
• Keywords: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous); Structural Biology; Biotechnology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7578099
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9279/5/2/25