MOLECULAR DETECTION PROTOCOL OF SARS-COV-2 THROUGH SELF-COLLECTED SALIVA SPECIMENS VERSUS NASOPHARYNGEAL SWABS.

Background: Several reports have shown that saliva specimen is an excellent alternative biofluid sample for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We conducted this study, in order to assess the sensitivity and specificity of using saliva self-collected by adult and pediatric patients, as a biological sample for RT-PCR diagnosis.

Aims: The present study was carried out to assess the sensitivity and specificity of using saliva self-collected from adult and pediatric patients, as a biological sample for RT-qPCR diagnosis.