DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaf031 ISSN: 0022-1899
Shortened SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA shedding in saliva during early Omicron compared to wild-type pandemic phase
Eva Kozanli, Angelique M A M Winkel, Alvin X Han, Sharon van den Brink, Annemarie van den Brandt, Milly E Haverkort, Sjoerd Euser, Colin A Russell, Menno D de Jong, Marlies A van Houten, Steven F L van Lelyveld, Dirk EgginkAbstract
This study compared the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding in saliva between wild-type virus-infected and Omicron-infected household cohorts. Pre-existing immunity in participants likely shortens the viral RNA shedding duration and lowers viral load peaks. Frequent saliva sampling can be a convenient tool to study viral load dynamics.