Bean extract-based gargle for efficient diagnosing COVID-19 at early-stage using rapid antigen tests: a clinical, prospective, diagnostic study

Importance: The antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT), using saliva specimens, is fast, non-invasive and suitable for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing, unlike nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) testing. Objective: To assess the diagnostic sensitivity of a novel Beanguard gargleTM (BG)-based virus detection method for early diagnosis of COVID-19. Design: This clinical trial was conducted at Gunsan Medical Center, Namwon Medical Center, and Jeonbuk National University Hospital, between May 7 and July 7, 2021. Setting: Paired NPS and BG-based saliva specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals were analyzed using NPS-RT-PCR, BG-RT-PCR, and BG-Ag-RDTs. Participants: The study comprised 102 COVID-19-positive patients hospitalized after governmental screening process and 100 healthy individuals. Forty-five COVID-19 patients were sampled within 6 days of illness and 57 within 7-15 days; 27 were categorized as asymptomatic and 75, as symptomatic. Eight and 2 patients carried the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants, respectively. Intervention: The diagnostic performances of BG-Ag-RDT, BG-RT-PCR, and NPS-RT-PCR for detecting SARS-CoV-2 were compared. Main outcomes: The sensitivities of BG-Ag-RDT and BG-RT-PCR towards salivary viral detection were highly concordant, with no discrimination between symptomatic, asymptomatic, or SARS-CoV-2 variant cases. Results: Among total participants (mean age, 43.7 years), 51% were women. BG-Ag-RDTs showed high sensitivity (97.8%, [95% CI, 88.4% to 99.6%]) and specificity (100%, [95% CI, 96.3% to 100%) in 45 patients within 6 days of illness and could detect all cases of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants. In 11 asymptomatic early-stage cases, both BG-Ag-RDTs and BG-RT-PCR showed excellent sensitivity and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 74.1% to 100% and 95% CI, 20.7% to 100%, respectively). The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and truncated canavalin, an active ingredient from bean extract (BE) and the ultrastructural features of SARS-CoV-2 particles coated with BE were observed. The detachment of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain from hACE2 increased as the BE concentration increased, allowing the release of the virus from hACE2 for early diagnosis. Conclusions and Relevance: Using BG-based saliva remarkably enhances the Ag-RDT diagnostic performance as an alternative to NPS and enables rapid and accurate COVID-19 self-testing and mass screening, supporting efficient COVID-19 management. Trial Registration: KCT0006438 Design: This clinical trial was conducted at Gunsan Medical Center, Namwon Medical Center, and Jeonbuk National University Hospital, between May 7 and July 7, 2021. Setting: Paired NPS and BG-based saliva specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals were analyzed using NPS-RT-PCR, BG-RT-PCR, and BG-Ag-RDTs. Participants: The study comprised 102 COVID-19-positive patients hospitalized after government screening and 100 healthy individuals. Forty-five COVID-19 patients were sampled within 6 days of illness and 57 within 7-15 days; 27 were categorized as asymptomatic and 75, as symptomatic. Eight and 2 patients carried the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants, respectively. Intervention: The diagnostic performances of BG-Ag-RDT, BG-RT-PCR, and NPS-RT-PCR for detecting SARS-CoV-2 were compared. Main outcomes: The sensitivities of BG-Ag-RDT and BG-RT-PCR towards salivary viral detection were highly concordant, with no discrimination between symptomatic, asymptomatic, or SARS-CoV-2 variant cases. Results: Among total participants (mean age, 43.7 years), 51% were women. BG-Ag-RDTs showed high sensitivity (97.8%, [95% CI, 88.4% to 99.6%]) and specificity (100%, [95% CI, 96.3% to 100%) in 45 patients within 6 days of illness and could detect all cases of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Delta variants. In 11 asymptomatic early-stage cases, both BG-Ag-RDTs and BG-RT-PCR showed excellent sensitivity and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 74.1% to 100% and 95% CI, 20.7% to 100%, respectively). The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and truncated canavalin, an active ingredient from bean extract (BE) and the ultrastructural features of SARS-CoV-2 particles coated with BE were observed. The detachment of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain from hACE2 increased as the BE concentration increased, allowing the release of the virus from hACE2 for early diagnosis. Conclusions and Relevance: Using BG-based saliva remarkably enhances the Ag-RDT diagnostic performance as an alternative to NPS and enables rapid and accurate COVID-19 self-testing and mass screening, supporting efficient COVID-19 management.