COVID-19: Japan to start PCR test on saliva: Shimadzu, Toyobo, Takara Bio

COVID-19: Japan to start PCR test on saliva: Shimadzu, Toyobo, Takara Bio

COVID-19:

Katsunobu Kato: Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare

At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on June 2, it was made clear that “permitting the PCR test using saliva as a sample”.

A new PCR test using saliva as a sample will be investigated for new coronavirus infection

It is for people within 9 days after symptoms appear.

https://this.kiji.is/640347803969782881

Introduced saliva PCR test. Reduced burden compared to conventional methods

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare:

Introduce a PCR test using saliva.

Comparing PCR tests:

We compared the results of conventional PCR tests with nasopharyngeal swabs collected from the nose and PCR tests with saliva.

Good concordance rates were obtained within 9 days of onset.

It is judged that PCR test with saliva is possible.

A detection kit from Shimadzu Corporation was used for verification.

In verification:

Shimadzu: “2019 New Coronavirus Detection Reagent Kit”,
Takara Bio: “SARS-CoV-2 Direct Detection RT-qPCR Kit”,
Toyobo: “SARS-CoV-2 Detection Kit” is used.

Both are based on the direct PCR method that does not require extraction and purification of DNA.

The test is completed in a shorter time than the conventional PCR test.

Yahoo! News

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d3a568436cd46373afa708b69fbc8a1336905e09