First-Ever Saliva-Based COVID and Influenza Combo Test to Screen for Coronavirus and Flu Infections

Researchers are developing a potential coronavirus and influenza combo saliva-based test that would indicate if an individual has been infected by COVID-19, the flu, or neither, according to a report on NJ.com.

The research is being conducted at Rutgers University’s (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) RUCDR Infinite Biologics which had recently developed one of the first saliva-based coronavirus tests in the US. The researchers hope to receive approval for the coronavirus and influenza combo saliva test by the fall in time for the flu season, marking a crucial development as both the viruses share similar characteristics and symptoms.

The coronavirus and influenza combo saliva-based test has a preservation agent that mixes with the saliva and chemically stabilizes the ribonucleic acid extracted from the sample. The preservation agent also renders the virus inactive, making it safer to handle in the lab. Andrew Brooks, chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR, told NJ.com that the lab was working on pooling strategies for a screening application, as well as studying how effective its current test would be in an asymptomatic population. The lab is hoping for continued developments, along with the coronavirus and flu combo test, before the end of 2020.

“There are other companies working on different panels, but this would be the first saliva-based COVID and influenza test,” Brooks said. “We’re gearing up, and we would like for it to be ready by the start of the flu season. Maybe even earlier. We’re not going to delay getting this.”

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