The following is an analysis of the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of the iClean® Saliva Collection Card:

Advantages

• Non-invasive Sampling: Compared with traditional methods such as blood collection, saliva collection is a non-invasive operation that does not cause pain or trauma to the person being sampled. It is especially more acceptable to children, the elderly, or those who have a fear of blood collection.
• Simple Operation: The collection process is relatively straightforward. It does not require professional medical personnel to perform the operation. The person being sampled can complete the collection by themselves under the guidance of a doctor or the instruction manual, saving medical resources and time costs.
• Convenient Sample Collection: Saliva can be secreted naturally without the need for special equipment or environmental conditions. The collection location is flexible and can be carried out in hospitals, clinics, homes, or other places, improving the convenience and accessibility of sample collection.
• Multiple Sampling Possible: Saliva samples can be collected multiple times as needed, which is convenient for dynamic monitoring of the same person being sampled. For example, it can be used to observe the changes in the condition or the efficacy of drugs during the treatment of a disease.
• High Biological Safety: Saliva samples generally do not contain highly pathogenic pathogens. Compared with samples such as blood, during the processes of collection, transportation, and handling, the risk of infection is relatively low, and the threat to the biological safety of operators and the environment is small.

Disadvantages

• Limit of Sample Volume: Some testing items may have high requirements for the sample volume. However, the amount of saliva that can be collected is relatively limited. It may be necessary to collect samples multiple times or use special collection methods to obtain an adequate sample to meet the testing requirements.
• Complex Sample Composition: Saliva contains a variety of components, such as food residues, oral microorganisms, mucus, etc. These components may interfere with the accuracy of certain testing methods, and complex pretreatment is required before testing to remove impurities and interfering substances.
• Limited Detection Sensitivity: For some low-concentration or trace biomarkers, their content in saliva may be relatively low, resulting in the detection sensitivity being inferior to that of samples such as blood. False negative results may occur, affecting the early diagnosis of diseases.
• Influence of Individual Differences: There are differences in the saliva secretion volume, composition, and physical properties among different individuals. Factors such as age, gender, diet, and oral hygiene conditions can all affect the quality of saliva and the test results, increasing the complexity and uncertainty of result analysis.

Limitations

• Limited Testing Items: Currently, not all testing items can be carried out through saliva samples. Many clinical tests still rely on samples such as blood and tissues. The application scope of the saliva collection card is somewhat limited. For example, for some items that require the detection of specific cell types or blood components, saliva samples cannot be a substitute.
• Influence of Environmental Factors: The test results of the saliva collection card may be affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light. During the processes of sample collection, drying, preservation, and transportation, if the environmental conditions do not meet the requirements, it may lead to sample deterioration or inaccurate test results.
• Difficulty in Quality Control: Since the operation of saliva collection is relatively simple, it is easily affected by human factors. For example, incorrect collection methods, inappropriate collection times, improper sample preservation, etc., may all affect the accuracy and reliability of the test results. Therefore, the requirements for quality control are relatively high, but in actual operation, it is relatively difficult to carry out quality control.