Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology (Jan 2023)
Diagnostic implications of salivary biomarkers in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: The gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis is RT-qPCR. Nevertheless, collecting nasopharyngeal swabs can lead to patient discomfort and pose significant risks to healthcare workers. Salivary glands are hosting SARS-COV2 due to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, and salivary high viral load detection plays a vital role in virus transmission. Salivary diagnostics offers self-collection and non-invasive options. Objective: This study's objective is to validate the diagnostic accuracy of various salivary biomarkers in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in comparison with PCR diagnosis. Methodology: According to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) declaration, this systematic review was carried out (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020215011). A comprehensive electronic search was conducted for studies published before October 15, 2020, using the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, and MEDLINE. Results: The meta-analysis includes the studies' diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and 95 percent confidence interval). The sensitivities for the different selected studies ranged from 76% to 92%, while the specificities ranged from 16% to 100%. Conclusion: The use of IgA salivary biomarkers could provide a promising non-invasive diagnostic adjunct for COVID-19 diagnosis.
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