A novel method of oral fluid collection to monitor immunity to common viral infections

Abstract

SUMMARYSerological surveys among representative population samples have proved rare given their reliance on invasive sample collection. We therefore completed the first population-based postal survey of immunity in England and Wales using new oral fluid technology. This paper examines the feasibility of this new methodological approach. Nearly 5500 oral fluid samples were collected, with individual demographic and social data via a questionnaire, from persons under 45 years of age recruited through general practices. Instructions were accurately followed with only 1 % of samples returned without risk-factor data. The overall response rate was 40%. Response was independently associated with age, sex and location. Response was highest in children aged 5-14 years, adult females and in rural locations. This approach allowed the successful collection of comprehensive individual risk data, but response rates in adults must be improved if oral fluid surveys are to routinely complement serological surveillance.

Salivary Antibodies against Multiple Environmental Pathogens Found in Individuals Recreating at an Iowa Beach

“…Furthermore, it was outside of the scope of our study to control for time of sample collection. However, our approach is consistent with other population-based salivary antibody surveys [ 36 , 37 ]. Further, salivary IgG has long been used to screen for HIV, hepatitis A virus, dengue, and many other pathogens without control for time of collection [ 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Herpesviruses in periodontal diseases

“…In some viral infections, IgM antibodies are useful for determining primary infection, and IgG antibodies for assessing the susceptibility to primary infection and viral reactivation. Oral fluid collection may constitute a convenient and noninvasive method for serological surveillance of immunity to common viral infections (159).…”

Application of salivary antibody immunoassays for the detection of incident infections with Norwalk virus in a group of volunteers

“…Previous studies defined immunoconversion as at least a four-fold increase in norovirus-specific antibody response (Monroe et al, 1993; Moe et al, 2004). While the invasiveness of blood sampling may limit the application of serology in longitudinal community studies, salivary immunoassays relying on safe and non-invasive collection of oral fluid can enable large-scale and inexpensive population surveys (McKie et al, 2002; Morris-Cunnington et al, 2004a, b). …”