4 research outputs found
SARS-CoV-2 and Saliva: an update
Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The high rate of contagion and the spread of the virus in the population make the early detection of the pathogen the means for the adequate targeting of infection control measures. WHO directs sample collection on upper respiratory specimens, including nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab or wash in ambulatory patients, as well as lower respiratory specimens: sputum and/or endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage, in addition to citing blood and feces. Among the various sample collection methods, saliva has been investigated and reported as a potential source for diagnosis. Thus, we propose to evaluate the current scenario, based on recent publications on the perspective of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva as a diagnostic method for Covid-19
Comparison of serological responses in two different populations with pulmonary tuberculosis
Observational studies on the humoural immune responses of the Warao
indigenous people from Delta Amacuro, an isolated area, were compared
with urban residents of the Venezuelan capital. Mycobacterium
tuberculosis -specific reactivities (IgM, IgE, sIgA, IgG and IgG
subclasses) were measured by ELISA using PPD and 38-kDa M. tuberculosis
antigens. A total of 294 individuals were studied, 162 Warao
(indigenous people) and 132 Creole (non-indigenous people). The patient
group consisted of 87 Warao patients and 58 Creole patients, while the
control group consisted of 75 Warao controls and 74 Creole controls.
Combinations among the isotypes studied were performed. The findings
showed that for the Warao people, sensitivity to the combination
including anti-PPD IgG and IgE was 92.0%, while for the Creole people,
sensitivity to the combination including anti-PPD IgG but more so
anti-PPD IgG1 and IgG2 was 90.0%. Simple tests were able to show higher
specificities, which were population-specific; specificities were
anti-PPD IgG3, 100.0% and anti-PPD IgM, 97.4% for the Warao and Creole
peoples, respectively. In conclusion, while simple tests reached high
specificity, the multi-isotype tests improved sensitivity; the latter
shows this approach may be useful in diagnostic testing