Portuguese scientists develop quick saliva test for COVID-19

Scientists at Portugal's NOVA University Lisbon said on Friday that they had developed a saliva test for COVID-19 that can diagnose infections in about one hour, reported Xinhua.

The kits are already tested on volunteers, Antonio Xavier of the university's Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ITQB), who worked on the project in collaboration with the Portuguese Army's Laboratory of Bromatology and Biological Defense and the Portuguese Armed Forces Hospital, told the press.

The saliva samples are placed in a container, and the test detects coronavirus infection through a color change visible to the naked eye. "If the reaction turns pink, the test is negative, and if it is yellow, it is positive," the ITQB said.

According to the scientists, this test is "particularly suitable" for detecting COVID-19 infections at airports, in geriatric hospitals and even in schools due to its "speed, sensitivity, ease of collection [of samples] and the reduced cost."

Another favorable aspect is that the new test avoids the need for direct contact between the health professional and the patient, since the sample is collected with the person spitting saliva directly into the container, eliminating the use of invasive and uncomfortable nasal swabs.

According to the ITQB, the Portuguese invention has "a sensitivity of 85 percent," allowing health professionals "to assess the person's infectiousness at the moment," and it can reach 100 percent if genetic material is extracted from saliva.