Optimization of a real time PCR methodology for HCV RNA quantification in saliva samples

Saliva may be an alternative biological specimen to expand HCV detection. This study aims to evaluate an in-house quantitative RT-PCR for HCV RNA quantification in saliva. A total of 80 individuals (56 anti-HCV/HCV RNA + and 24 negative controls) donated serum and saliva, that were tested using an in-house quantitative PCR for HCV RNA. The median viral load was 4.77 log10 copies/mL (1.04-7.0 log10 copies/mL) in serum and 2.31 log10 copies/mL (1.0-3.84 log10 copies/mL) in saliva. A sensitivity of 80 % and specificity of 100 % were observed for HCV detection in saliva, which demonstrates the usefulness of in-house real-time PCR to quantify HCV RNA in saliva samples, which might increase the access of molecular diagnosis of HCV in laboratories that lack complex infrastructures for molecular testing and in individuals with poor venous access.