Infrared Based Saliva Screening Test for COVID‐19. (29th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, Bayden R.; Kochan, Kamila; Bedolla, Diana E.; Salazar‐Quiroz, Natalia; Grimley, Samantha L.; Perez‐Guaita, David; Baker, Matthew J.; Vongsvivut, Jitraporn; Tobin, Mark J.; Bambery, Keith R.; Christensen, Dale; Pasricha, Shivani; Eden, Anthony K.; Mclean, Aaron; Roy, Supti; Roberts, Jason A.; Druce, Julian; Williamson, Deborah A.; McAuley, Julie; Catton, Mike; Purcell, Damian F. J.; Godfrey, Dale I.; Heraud, Philip
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 133:Number 31(2021)
• Page Start: 17239
• Page End: 17244
• Publication Date: 2021-06-29
• Subjects: COVID-19 diagnostic -- Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy -- Raman spectroscopy -- saliva -- SARS-CoV-2; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104453
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has resulted in an unprecedented need for diagnostic testing that is critical in controlling the spread of COVID‐19. We propose a portable infrared spectrometer with purpose‐built transflection accessory for rapid point‐of‐care detection of COVID‐19 markers in saliva. Initially, purified virion particles were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron infrared (IR) and AFM‐IR. A data set comprising 171 transflection infrared spectra from 29 subjects testing positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by RT‐qPCR and 28 testing negative, was modeled using Monte Carlo Double Cross Validation with 50 randomized test and model sets. The testing sensitivity was 93 % (27/29) with a specificity of 82 % (23/28) that included positive samples on the limit of detection for RT‐qPCR. Herein, we demonstrate a proof‐of‐concept high throughput infrared COVID‐19 test that is rapid, inexpensive, portable and utilizes sample self‐collection thus minimizing the risk to healthcare workers and ideally suited to mass screening. Abstract : Using a modified infrared reflection accessory designed for high throughput saliva analysis we show proof of concept of a COVID‐19 point‐of‐care screening device.