Infection of the oral cavity with SARS-CoV-2 variants: Scope of salivary diagnostics

Parvati Iyer; Takahiro Chino; David M Ojcius

doi:10.3389/froh.2022.1001790

Infection of the oral cavity with SARS-CoV-2 variants: Scope of salivary diagnostics

Front Oral Health. 2022 Oct 31:3:1001790. doi: 10.3389/froh.2022.1001790. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Parvati Iyer¹, Takahiro Chino², David M Ojcius²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, United States.
² Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Abstract

Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, have caused pandemics in the past two decades. The most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern can re-infect individuals who have been previously infected with other variants or had protection from vaccines targeting the original SARS-CoV-2 variant. Given the high risk of transmission of coronavirus via aerosols produced during dental procedures, it is important to understand the future risk of coronavirus infection for oral health professionals and to diagnose quickly early stages of outbreaks. Testing of saliva for coronavirus may be the least invasive and most convenient method for following the outbreak at the individual and community level. This review will describe strategies for diagnosis of coronavirus in saliva.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; diagnostic; saliva.

Publication types

Review