Is it helpful to lick lollipops during health checkup? Research says it can aid in diagnostic procedures

Lollipops may be a pleasant reward for a child who has had a visit to the doctor’s office, but this sweet delicacy may now make a clinical trial less intrusive and more enjoyable during travel.

For the first time, the researchers, who published their findings in ACS’ Analytical Chemistry, have demonstrated that a lollipop-based saliva collection system can capture bacteria from adults and remain shelf-stable for up to a year.

Participants in the study preferred the candies over the traditional collection methods. Throat swabs are commonly used to collect samples for the diagnosis of a variety of illnesses, including strep throat.

cre trending stories

A less-gag-inducing method is saliva sampling, in which technicians analyze the patient’s sputum with methods such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Because this type of sample can be collected directly by the patient, the technique is popular for at-home testing and its use has been expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, collecting the required amount of saliva can be somewhat clumsy, which is why some scientists want to make the process more enjoyable by combining it with the more pleasurable experience of enjoying an equally saliva-filled, yet lollipop. are wanting

Earlier, Sanita Thongpang, Ashley Theberge, Erwin Berthier and their colleagues developed their own lollipop collection tool called CandyCollect. At first glance, the CandyCollect looks like most lollipops, except it has a spiral-shaped groove carved into the top of its spoon-like stick.

This flat end is covered with isomalt candy, allowing saliva to flow smoothly into the groove when eating the lollipop. In a previous study, researchers showed in lab tests that the device could capture the bacteria responsible for strep throat.

Now, they wanted to target other, naturally occurring bacteria and see how their system compared to other commercially available methods of at-home saliva sampling with real people.

The researchers sent the CandyCollect and two traditional saliva sampling kits to 28 adult volunteers, who used them, answered some survey questions, and then sent the devices back to the lab. The researchers screened the samples and then quantified Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria using qPCR.

Whenever target bacteria were detected by one or both conventional methods, CandyCollect also detected them 100 percent of the time. Additionally, candies were the most popular method of the three among participants, who also agreed that it was “the most hygienic” and “the least disgusting.”

The instruments give accurate results even after being stored for one year. Although the study is still ongoing, the team says this work shows that the system is adaptable and well-liked. Researchers say it may inspire other scientists to develop more intuitive and convenient at-home testing methods