Novel coronavirus infects and replicates in salivary gland cells.

[2greys]

In Brazil, researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands.

Analysis of samples from three types of salivary gland obtained during a minimally invasive autopsy procedure performed on patients who died from complications of COVID-19 at Hospital das Clínicas, FM-USP’s hospital complex, showed that tissues specializing in producing and secreting saliva serve as reservoirs for the novel coronavirus.

The study was supported by FAPESP and reported in an article published in the Journal of Pathology.

The researchers said the discovery helps explain why the virus is so abundant in saliva and has enabled scientists to develop saliva-based diagnostic tests for COVID-19.

“This is the first report of a respiratory virus’s capacity to infect and replicate in salivary glands. Until now it was thought that only viruses that cause highly prevalent diseases such as herpes used salivary glands as reservoirs. The discovery may help explain why SARS-CoV-2 is so infectious,” Bruno Fernandes Matuck, a PhD candidate at USP’s Dental School and first author of the article, told Agência FAPESP.

agencia.fapesp.br/novel-cor...

Journal of Pathology. Research Paper:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[2greys]

Rather compelling evidence to continue with mask wearing.

[Annie31 in reply to 2greys]

No kissing then!!!

[2greys in reply to Annie31]

Not unless our name happens to be Matt or Gina 🤔

[Annie31 in reply to 2greys]

Oh very good 2greys!! 😂😂

[Ergendl]

Does that mean using mouthwashes like Corsodyl will help reduce the viruses on our breath?

[HungryHufflepuff]

I’ve just read the Journal of Pathology article. Why can’t the tests for coronavirus be a saliva test? Why does it need to be the unpleasant swap up the nose and down the throat test? I remember reading, probably about a year ago in Time Magazine, an article about a saliva test, I think it was a trial thing, whereby the participants were spitting into a test tube every week. The article said regular testing could be a way to control the virus, but would you be willing to spit a sample every week. I think more people would be willing to spit into a tube than have the current tests. Well I would! Apparently on the radio just a while ago, there was a report that said school children were lying about having Covid symptoms, saying they had no symptoms when they actually did, because having experienced the text, they didn’t want to undergo that again. It must be hugely unpleasant for Sharon and other health care workers who have to be tested twice weekly.

[2greys]

It is being used in New Zealand:

wgtn.ac.nz/news/2021/06/fir...

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to 2greys]

Thank you so much for this. I wonder why it's not becoming more widely used. Like the article says, I wonder how much longer the public will tolerate the brain scrape test. I really hope the saliva test will become a more common manner of testing.