DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa149 ISSN:
Consistent Detection of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Saliva
Kelvin Kai-Wang To, Owen Tak-Yin Tsang, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Kwok-Hung Chan, Tak-Chiu Wu, Jacky Man-Chun Chan, Wai-Shing Leung, Thomas Shiu-Hong Chik, Chris Yau-Chung Choi, Darshana H Kandamby, David Christopher Lung, Anthony Raymond Tam, Rosana Wing-Shan Poon, Agnes Yim-Fong Fung, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology (medical)
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was detected in the self-collected saliva of 91.7% (11/12) of patients. Serial saliva viral load monitoring generally showed a declining trend. Live virus was detected in saliva by viral culture. Saliva is a promising noninvasive specimen for diagnosis, monitoring, and infection control in patients with 2019-nCoV infection.