Using Discarded Facial Tissues to Monitor and Diagnose Viral Respiratory Infections

Molecular biology amplification enables sensitive detec-tion of most respiratory viruses through nasopharyngeal swabbing. We developed an innovative approach to de-tect viral genomes on used facial tissues. In 2 communi-ties of children, used tissues were collected once weekly for 1 year. Pooled analysis of tissues enabled detection of successive virus circulation in 4 age groups over time and forecasted by several weeks the circulation of influ-enza in the general population. At the individual level, in a proof-of-concept study of 30 volunteers with influenza -like signs/symptoms, we identified common respiratory viruses. The signals for SARS-CoV-2 obtained in paral-lel from 15 facial tissues and swab samples were similar and often higher for the tissues (11/15). Individual analy-sis of tissues offers a noninvasive, sensitive, and afford-able alternative to self-sampling without a medical care requirement. Pooled analyses may be used to detect virus spread in specific communities, predict seasonal epidemics, and alert the population to viral infections.