De-mystifying asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2 and saliva as a new plethora for diagnosis

Abstract

Diagnostics can play an important role in the containment of COVID-19, enabling the rapid implementation of control measures that limit the spread through case identification, isolation, and contact tracing (i.e., identifying people that may have come in contact with an infected patient). We explore the various symptoms and the challenges we face in dealing with asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV2 and the various modalities of sample collection and the latest developments in Point-of Care testing. The use of saliva for diagnostic purposes opens the possibility of using other tools other than the direct detection of the pathogen, such as the use of proteomic, metabolomics, detection of antibodies, especially IgA, cytokines, chemokines, techniques in order to search for markers enabling the use of rapid diagnostic devices. Currently, vaccine development is underway and has to be developed at a pandemic speed.