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Sampling via gargling and oropharyngeal swabs can be
helpful in diagnosing COVID-19.
The use of gargling (also called ‘throat washings’) and oropharyngeal swabs with marginally lower dilutions can be considered for the diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, a study in Viruses journal revealed. Real-time reverse-transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT PCR) is utilized to detect SARS-CoV-2 from the respiratory tract samples. This study by Florian Hitzenbichler et al. compared three sampling methods-gargling, nasopharyngeal swabs, and oropharyngeal swabs for the same.
Overall, 102 samples from 34 individuals in the age group 22–83 years with SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated by RT-qPCR with definite quantification. The median concentration and diagnostic sensitivities for nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal swabs, and throat washings are illustrated in the table below:
Noteworthy concentration differences were found between nasopharyngeal swabs and gargling (P = 0.019). Saliva was obtainable from 21 individuals (median 3.4×103 copies per mL).
The presence of just moderately lesser viral loads in oropharyngeal swabs and
gargling denoted that they can be regarded as a substitute to nasopharyngeal
swabs for COVID-19. Also, gargling could permit self-sampling in patients, thus
lowering the infection risk for healthcare staff, Florian Hitzenbichler
mentioned.
Viruses
Comparison of Throat Washings, Nasopharyngeal Swabs and Oropharyngeal Swabs for Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Florian Hitzenbichler et al.
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