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BACKGROUND: Self-collected saliva samples can increase the diagnostic efficiency and benefit healthcare workers, patient care, and infection control. This study evaluated the performance of self-collected saliva samples compared to nasopharyngeal swabs using three commercial kits for the qualitative detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: Matched nasopharyngeal and saliva samples were collected from 103 patients with either asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19. Both samples were evaluated using three commercial kits (TaqCheck, Allplex, and TaqPath). To evaluate sample stability, viral RNA extraction was performed in the presence or absence of an RNA-stabilizing solution. Storage conditions, including the duration, temperature, and stability after freezing and thawing of the samples, were also evaluated. RESULTS: All the saliva samples showed 100% concordance with the nasopharyngeal swab results using TaqCheck and Allplex kits, and 93% using TaqPath kit. No difference was observed in the samples that used the RNA-stabilizing solution compared to the group without the solution. The Ct values of the freeze-thawed samples after 30 days were higher than those on day 0; however, the results were consistent the fresh samples. CONCLUSION: The high concordance of SARS-CoV-2 detection via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in matched saliva and nasopharyngeal samples using different commercial assays reinforces the concept that self-collected saliva samples are non-invasive, rapid, and reliable for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
RESUMEN
JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A residência médica é a mais importante forma de pós-graduação médica, composta de treinamento em serviço de maneira supervisionada. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a frequência de médicos recém-formados de faculdades de Salvador/BA que não se submeteram ao concurso de residência médica no estado, e os motivos pelos quais optaram por não realizá-lo. MÉTODO: Inicialmente, a lista de candidatos do concurso unificado do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS/BA) de dezembrode 2010 foi confrontada com as listas de formatura das três faculdades de Medicina de Salvador. Os recém-formados que não realizaram o concurso foram contatados e questionados: Qual o principal motivo que o levou a não fazer concurso para a residência do SUS-Bahia no ano passado? As respostas foram abertas, analisadas qualitativamente e categorizadas. RESULTADOS: Duzentos e oitenta e quatro (68,8%) dos recém-formados de Salvador/BA prestaram concurso, além de outros candidatos de outras cidades e estados. Cento e vinte nove (31,2%) recém-formados desta cidade não realizaram o concurso em 2010. Destes, 91 foram contatados e concordaram em participar do estudo. As respostas foram classificadas em cinco categorias distintas: motivo financeiro (41%), desinteresse pela residência local na especialidade de seu interesse (37%), necessidade de deslocamento (10%), despreparo para a prova (4%) e outros (8%). CONCLUSÃO: Percentual significativo de médicos recém-formados optou por não realizar a prova unificada de residência médica na Bahia, sendo o fator financeiro e o desinteresse, na especialidade de seu interesse, pela residência médica local os principais motivos relatados.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The residency program is the most important form of medical post-graduation, composed of in-service training under supervision. This study has the objective to assess the frequency of medical graduates from Salvador / BA who did not apply to medical residency exams, as well as their reasons. METHOD: Initially, we confronted the list of candidates for December 2010 unified residency admission exam with the graduation lists of the three medical schools in Salvador, Bahia. The graduates who did not attend the tests were contacted and asked: What was the main reason to not submit to the SUS-Bahia residency admission exams last year? The responses were discursive, analyzed qualitatively and categorized. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-four (68.8%) of graduates in Salvador / BA performed the exam, along with other candidates from other cities and states. One hundred and twenty-nine (31.2%) graduates did not perform the exam in 2010. Ninety-one were contacted and agreed to participate. Responses were classified into five categories: financial motive (41% of respondents), disinterest in local residency in the specialty of interest (37%), necessity to move to a differentcity (10%), feeling of unpreparedness for the test (4%) and others (8%). CONCLUSION: A significant percentage of medical graduates chose not to submit to the unified medical residency admission exam in Bahia, and the financial factor and desinterest in local residency programs in the specialty of interest were the main reasons reported.
