The Ministry of Health gives the green light to molecular salivary tests but with some limitations “because sensitivity decreases after the first 5 days from the onset of symptoms” and because “the saliva sample can be considered an option for the detection of Sars-CoV-2 infection if it is not possible to obtain gold / nasopharyngeal swabs “. This is what the new circular of the Ministry of Health, signed by the Director General of Prevention, provides Gianni Rezza, on “Use of the molecular and antigen test on saliva for professional use for the diagnosis of Sars-CoV-2 infection”. Molecular salivary tests “may represent a useful tool for monitoring and controlling Sars-CoV-2 infection in the school setting. Some studies published in 2020 found sensitivities ranging between 53 and 73%”.
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Useful for repeated screening, elderly and disabled
“The saliva sample can be considered an option for the detection of Sars-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic individuals who are repeatedly screened for professional or other reasons, to increase the acceptability of repeat tests, in particular: if very elderly or disabled individuals are screened and if there is a shortage of tampons “, underlines the circular indicating when to use the molecular salivary test.
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Correct sample collection is crucial
In the circular on salivary tests, the ministry technicians highlight how “the use of saliva for the diagnosis of Sars-CoV-2 infection provides a non-invasive method of collection, however the correct collection of the salivary sample is a crucial step. The samples. saliva can be heterogeneous (oral saliva, posterior oropharyngeal saliva) and the different techniques and collection sites can have an impact on the sensitivity of the method. In addition, the saliva samples can be mucous and viscous, causing difficulties in processing with the methods and existing automated RNA extraction or extraction / amplification equipment “.
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Sensitivity similar to swab
Furthermore, “saliva has been evaluated as a possible substrate for antigen tests based on automatic laboratory instrumentation, with chemiluminescence reading – concludes the circular – At the moment, the available repertoire of such Ce-Ivd labeled tests for the salivary matrix is limited. , but it is being expanded. Comparison with the molecular test indicates a sensitivity similar to that observed for the nasopharyngeal swab for saliva. “
Test for high school and eighth grade exams
And now the Undersecretary for Education Rossano Sasso, who welcomes with applause the go-ahead for the use of salivary swabs in schools explains not only to share “the reflection on the advisability of using salivary tests already for the eighth grade and high school exams” but that “the topic will fall back on attention of Minister Patrizio Bianchi “. And even the school unions are in favor of using these tampons right away. “We hope they can be used immediately for state exams – he says Elvira Serafini of Snals – Covid is affecting the groups of young and very young pupils, with the variants being targeted even the little ones. It would be very important to protect teachers, ata staff and students: with these tests we would be sure that there are no cases of positivity. We ask that these tests be free for everyone, staff and students “.
Also for Pino Turi of the Uil Scuola “the salivary tests to guarantee the eighth grade and high school exams are a tool that guarantees the procedure of the exams in safety and at the same time the whole of the educating community”
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