
The special pad is placed between the lower gum and inner cheek
and left there for two minutes. |
 |

The OraSure system draws HIV antibodies out of the tissues of
the cheek and gum. The virus itself is rarely ever found in
oral fluid. |
 |

This sample, called mucosal ransudate,contains far fewer contaminants
than typically found in saliva. |
 |
What is the difference between saliva
and mucosal transudate? |
| Oral mucosal transudate has high oncentrations
of IgG; saliva has practically none. Oral mucosal transudate
comes from the tissues of the cheek and gum; saliva comes
from the salivary glands. |
|