The iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit has specific applications in multiple fields:

I. Medical Testing Field

1. Pathogen Detection
   • Virus Detection
     • It is used to detect a variety of viruses, such as the influenza virus. During the flu season, the kit can be used to conveniently obtain an adequate amount of sample by collecting the saliva of patients. The viral load in saliva changes after infection, and detecting these viruses helps in the rapid diagnosis of the disease. For example, for patients with flu – like symptoms such as fever and cough, timely use of the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit for testing can determine whether they are infected with the influenza virus in a short time, providing a basis for subsequent treatment and isolation measures.
     • It also has certain application value in the detection of the novel coronavirus. Although the novel coronavirus is mainly detected by nasopharyngeal swabs, in some special cases, such as when patients cannot tolerate nasopharyngeal swab collection or for large – scale screening, saliva swab collection can be used as a supplementary method. Research shows that the novel coronavirus nucleic acid is also present in saliva. The iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can safely and effectively collect samples, and after nucleic acid extraction and detection techniques, it can assist in judging whether the patient is infected.
   • Bacteria Detection
     • It can detect diseases related to oral bacterial infections. For example, when detecting bacteria causing periodontitis, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can easily collect oral saliva, from which bacteria can be isolated for culture and identification. This detection is crucial for determining the pathogen of periodontitis, assessing the severity of the disease, and choosing appropriate treatment options (such as the use of antibiotics).
     • It can also be used to detect bacteria causing respiratory tract infections. Some bacterial infections may first appear in the oral cavity in the initial stage. By detecting bacteria in saliva, signs of infection can be discovered in advance. For example, Streptococcus pneumoniae sometimes colonizes in the oral cavity, and its presence can be monitored through saliva testing before it causes pneumonia.
2. Genetic Testing
   • Hereditary Disease Detection
     • It plays a role in the diagnosis of some hereditary diseases. For example, cystic fibrosis is a common hereditary disease. By collecting saliva samples, DNA can be extracted from them for genetic testing. The iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can collect samples containing an adequate amount of DNA for mutation analysis of the CFTR gene (a gene related to cystic fibrosis), helping doctors diagnose whether the patient carries the disease – causing gene and providing important information for genetic counseling and family fertility planning.
     • For some single – gene genetic diseases, such as thalassemia, saliva can also be collected using this kit for testing. Detecting whether there are mutations in related genes in the sample (such as the α – globin gene and β – globin gene) helps to assess the fertility risk in scenarios such as premarital and prenatal examinations.
   • Pharmacogenomics Testing
     • It is used to study individual differences in drug responses. Different people may respond differently to the same drug, which is related to genes. By collecting saliva with the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit and extracting DNA, the polymorphism of genes related to drug metabolism can be analyzed. For example, when using warfarin (an anticoagulant drug), by detecting the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes (genes related to warfarin metabolism and efficacy) in the patient’s saliva, the patient’s sensitivity to the drug can be predicted, so as to develop personalized dosing, improving the safety and effectiveness of drug treatment.

II. Forensic Medicine Field

1. Individual Identification
   • In crime scene investigations, the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can be used to collect saliva samples. Saliva contains human cells from which DNA can be extracted. By comparing with the DNA of suspects or known individuals, the source of the saliva sample at the crime scene can be determined. For example, in sexual assault cases, saliva samples potentially containing those of the suspect can be collected from the victim’s body or clothing. After collection using this kit, DNA identification can be carried out to help identify the suspect.
2. Paternity Testing
   • It is a convenient tool for collecting samples for paternity testing. Compared with blood collection, saliva collection is more non – invasive and convenient. By collecting saliva samples from parents and children, extracting DNA, and then conducting genotyping and comparison, the paternity relationship can be determined. For example, in some family disputes or immigration cases where proof of paternity is required, the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can quickly collect samples and provide a scientific basis for identification.

III. Stomatology Field

1. Oral Microbiome Research
   • There are a large number of microorganisms in the oral cavity, and the balance of these microbial communities is closely related to oral health. The iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit can be used to collect oral microbial samples. Researchers can analyze these samples through high – throughput sequencing and other methods to understand the types, quantities, and distributions of oral microorganisms. For example, studying the ratio changes of beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus) and harmful bacteria (such as Streptococcus mutans) in the oral cavity, as well as the relationship between these changes and oral problems such as dental caries and halitosis, provides a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.
2. Auxiliary Diagnosis of Oral Diseases
   • In the diagnosis of oral diseases, in addition to directly observing oral tissues, saliva testing can also provide auxiliary information. For example, when diagnosing oral cancer, saliva is collected using the iClean® Saliva Swab Collection Kit to detect whether it contains biomarkers related to oral cancer (such as tumor cell DNA, specific proteins, etc.). This can help doctors detect signs of lesions earlier and improve the early diagnosis rate of oral cancer.