We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App





Measuring Antibodies in Saliva a Useful and Easy Strategy to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Infections, Finds Study

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 01 Dec 2021

Measuring antibodies in saliva is a useful and easy strategy to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections, according to a new study. More...

The study, a collaboration between the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal; Barcelona, Spain) and the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (HSJD; Barcelona, Spain), used saliva instead of blood to measure virus-specific antibodies in over 1,500 children who attended different summer schools in Barcelona in 2020, as well as around 400 adult staff. Two saliva samples per participant were analyzed, one at the beginning and one at the end of the camp stay, and different antibody types (IgG, IgA and IgM) targeting different viral antigens were measured.

The results show that 3.2% of the summer school participants developed antibodies between the first and second sample, which is indicative of new infections. This is six times higher than the infection rate estimated by weekly PCR screening. In addition, the analysis shows that the percentage of new infections was higher in adults (2.94%) than in children (1.3%), which suggests differences in infection and transmission dynamics. Finally, contrary to what has been observed in blood, asymptomatic people had higher levels of anti-Spike antibodies in saliva, suggesting these antibodies play a protective role in respiratory mucosae.

“We previously demonstrated in other Kids Corona studies that saliva is useful for detecting virus by PCR. With this study, we demonstrate that it’s also an effective and much friendlier way to measure antibodies, making it the ideal sample for children, instead of the more invasive nasal swab,” said Iolanda Jordan from HSJD.

“Studies using saliva are much easier to perform and do not require specialized staff for its collection,” added Juan José García, Chief of Pediatrics at HSJD and coordinator of the Kids Corona study, which means this strategy could prove very useful to measure the incidence in school settings and guide decisions on the kind of measures that need to be implemented. Saliva samples are easy to obtain and useful for measuring antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in children, which could facilitate epidemiological surveillance in school settings.

Related Links:
ISGlobal 
HSJD 


Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Rapid Molecular Testing Device
FlashDetect Flash10
New
8-Channel Pipette
SAPPHIRE 20–300 µL
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: GeneseeqPrime analyzes 425 cancer-related genes by next-generation sequencing (Photo courtesy of Geneseeq)

Comprehensive Tumor Profiling Kit Decentralizes and Standardizes Oncology Testing

Cancer remains one of the leading global health burdens, with accurate and timely tumor profiling critical to guiding treatment decisions. Traditional approaches often struggle to capture the full range... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.