Illinois Freedom Alliance

Saliva Molecular PCR Testing

Saliva testing for coronavirus disease is as effective as the standard nasopharyngeal tests, according to a new study by investigators at McGill University. (January 25, 2021) This is the fifth test that the FDA has authorized that uses saliva as a sample for testing. Testing saliva eliminates the need for nasopharyngeal swabs and alleviates the patient discomfort and danger associated with these swabs.

Antonietta M. Gatti, Ph.D, who is also the coordinator of the Italian Institute of Technology’s Project of Nanoecotoxicology, called INESE, studied the FLOQSwab under the microscope and discovered the test stick is coated with short nylon fibers arranged vertically. The swab has no inner core to enclose the sample. Professor Gatti writes: “The company explains that the fiber core is made of nylon with a coating of a patented material that turns out to be silicate-zirconium titanium in the analysis. This coating makes the fiber harder so that it is able to tear the mucous membrane. There is a possibility that the pressure applied to the smear maneuvers may break some fibers that remain in situ. If this is the case, they can cause a foreign body reaction that can damage the mucous membrane in such a way that breathing, and speech are hindered.”

Furthermore, the swab neck, according to Gatti’s analysis, contains silver nanoparticles and this is not declared in the manufacturer’s data sheet. The professor concludes that the porcupine swabs are made of hard fibers and if they scrape on the nasal mucosa, they can damage it, causing a bleeding lesion or, in any case, tissue trauma. During the healing process of the mucous membrane, the broken fibers can penetrate the tissue without possibility of removing them, thus causing the formation of a granuloma or fibrotic tissue, as happens with any foreign body.

This is why it is necessary to have the option of saliva-based PCR testing. Although, most of these potential side effects from the nasopharyngeal swab may not be reported or go unnoticed or undetected, does not mean this invasive nasal swab testing is safe.

Here are some local saliva-based options: