A safer, cheaper and more effective saliva test for Covid-19 would boost detection rates if rolled out in the Emirates, according to a major UAE study into the nasal swab alternative.
Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi said saliva screening has a greater accuracy than the commonly used Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal tests currently used to identify the virus.
Similar checks have been trialled in the UK and Canada, with Abu Dhabi scientists claiming their research reduces the risk of false results and provides more accurate transmission rates.
The new test could be crucial in detecting signs of Covid-19 in asymptomatic carriers or those in the early stages of infection, said Youssef Idaghdour, the university’s assistant professor of biology.
“There has been a push to improve the existing methods and that is where saliva tests have come in,” he said.
We have developed a more sensitive method that will detect even the slightest sign of infection
“Collecting saliva is painless, less uncomfortable and limits exposure to the virus to healthcare workers as samples can be self collected.
“As there is no need to use a special collection tube, eliminating the need for special reagents, it is also cheaper.”
Saliva generally carries higher amounts of viral load, making it easier to spot.
There is also less risk of collecting defunct virus genetic material that can linger in the nose and throat and provide a false positive result.
The research has been supported by the Department of Health, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences and other research facilities.
If approved, saliva testing could be introduced across the country within months.
Researchers at NYUAD used clinical samples to determine if the saliva test was more sensitive to detecting signs of the virus than a nasal or throat swab.
“We discovered our method was more sensitive, so that acted as the starting point for more research, said Mr Idaghdour.
“It is not an issue in patients with symptoms as the detection is clear.
“It (PCR testing) is a problem however when using this method to test patients with a low viral load at early stage of infection or who may be asymptomatic.
“Because of that we have developed a more sensitive method that will detect even the slightest sign of infection.
“This also reduces the risk of false negative tests.”
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found saliva specimens had at least similar sensitivities to nasopharyngeal tests.
Typically, results can be achieved on the same day as sample collection, usually just 5-6 hours later.
Those involved in the research said the test could be suitable for use anywhere in the UAE.
“A collection tube inside a ziplock back could be delivered to someone’s home, school or campus, then delivered to a lab for analysis,” said Mr Idaghdour.
“The beauty is the reduced risk of contamination.
“The DoH is looking at the data, as it has already been approved in other countries.”
Early detection is central to the UAE's efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19.
More than 9.5 million tests have been conducted to date, with testing figures rising steadily in recent weeks.
In June, more than 14,000 GP staff in the UK and other key workers and their families took part in a pilot study to check a similar “no swab” saliva test for Covid-19.
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The four-week research led by Southampton University allowed people to collect their own sample at home by spitting into a pot before laboratory analysis.
The £100 billion “Operation Moonshot” programme in the UK aims to test millions of people for the virus by early 2021.
The Department of Health and Social Care invited businesses to tender for the production of some 3 million saliva collection kits a day, suggesting the process could be crucial to government targets.
Similar saliva tests have already been conducted on pupils at schools across British Columbia in Canada.
“These tests will simplify the process for everyone, at the point of collection and at the laboratory stage,” said Mr Idaghdour.
“The important thing is how do we reduce the costs involved without reducing sensitivity and this test does that very well.”
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETeyon%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENacon%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20PC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WORLD CUP SQUAD
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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How%20champions%20are%20made
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
MATCH INFO
Burnley 1 (Brady 89')
Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
