- Non-invasive method especially suitable for children.
- New method will be introduced on most laboratory systems.
SYNLAB, the leading medical diagnostic services provider in Europe, announces the successful validation of saliva sampling, another innovative non-invasive and pain-free sampling method for RT-PCR testing to detect the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Using this innovative method, a saliva sample can be easily collected pain-free and without the need of medical staff, e.g. at home. To obtain a sample, 1 - 1.5 ml of saliva is being transferred into a sample cup which is then forwarded to a SYNLAB laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 testing using RT-PCR. Saliva sampling does not just eliminate patients’ pain and discomfort. It also does not require healthcare professionals’ contact with patients. The sampling can be done comfortably at home with no protective gear needed. A simple cleaning of the room after sampling fulfils required hygiene measures.
While available for all patients, the new method is especially suitable for children who are often afraid of conventional swab sampling and may not yet be able to gargle sufficiently for mouthwash sampling.
SYNLAB will be introducing this new method on most of its laboratory systems. The internal validation process has shown that the results are as reliable as the results for conventional swab sampling.
Santiago Valor, Chief Medical Officer of SYNLAB Group: “SYNLAB has continuously been innovating the way how samples are taken in order to make it as comfortable and convenient as possible for the patients. Just recently, we implemented mouthwash sampling. Saliva sampling takes it one step further, providing an easy way of sample collection also for children. Additionally, the self-sampling helps to ease the burden on medical professionals during the pandemic and could speed up to the process until test result.”