Characteristics and Detection Rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Alternative Sites and Specimens Pertaining to Dental Practice: An Evidence Summary

Abstract

Knowledge about the detection potential and detection rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in various body fluids and sites is important for dentists since they, directly or indirectly, deal with many of these fluids/sites in their daily practices. In this study, we attempt to review the latest evidence and meta-analysis studies regarding the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in different body specimens and sites as well as the characteristics of these sample. The presence/detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral biomolecules (nucleic acid, antigens, antibody) in different clinical specimens depends greatly on the specimen type and timing of collection. These specimens/sites include nasopharynx, oropharynx, nose, saliva, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, stool, urine, ocular fluid, serum, plasma and whole blood. The relative detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 viral biomolecules in each of these specimens/sites is reviewed in detail within the text. The infectious potential of these specimens depends mainly on the time of specimen collection and the presence of live replicating viral particles.

Correlation between Salivary Levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, IGF-1/IGFBP3 Ratio with Skeletal Maturity Using Hand-Wrist Radiographs

“…A systematic review conducted by Shirazi S in 2021 stated the significance of identifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] among asymptomatic individuals as a part of infection control protocol in the dental environment. Therefore, in the future, COVID-19 point-of-care testing options may be considered as an additional screening tool to detect undetected asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…Prior to reporting at the reception desk, all the patients were screened for COVID-19 by a well-trained dental nurse at the triage station located at the entrance of the dental hospital. Details pertaining to the history of travel within the past 6 months, history of exposure to infected persons, and presence of symptoms such as fever, cold, cough, breathing difficulty, muscle pain, and headache for the past 14 days were recorded in the triage form [ 18 , 19 ]. Apart from the screening procedures, it was mandatory for all patients to provide the updated version of the health app provided by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.…”

Dentistry after Omicron variant: Introducing a New Biosafety Protocol in Prevention of COVID-19 in Dental Care

“…Dentists frequently deal with many of these sites in their daily practices. Since mass-vaccination the SARS-CoV-2 virus among asymptomatic individuals is less well-documented, but is important in future management of the dental environment [38,44]. The current data indicates that detection of SARS-CoV-2 and the infectious potential of the tested virus is dependent on the time of specimen collection relative to symptoms/infection and the presence of actual live viral particles [38].…”

“…It was crucial that specific measures were implemented so these patients could be treated in a timely manner and in a safe environment. A timely adaptation of clinical workflows and implementation of practice modification measures was observed through the world [9,[36][37][38][39]. These, with arrival of significantly more infectious omicron-strain, might need to be revised.…”

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Northeast of Mexico City: Strategy for Monitoring and Prevalence of COVID-19

“…Some clinical studies reported prolonged fecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for up to seven weeks after the first onset of symptoms ( [6,9]) or other body fluids [10]. Another study reported that viral RNA could be detected in stool in 81.8% of cases [11].…”