SARS-CoV-2 RNA in exhaled air of hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Knowledge about contagiousness is key to accurate management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Epidemiological studies suggest that in addition to transmission through droplets, aerogenic SARS-CoV-2 transmission contributes to the spread of infection. However, the presence of virus in exhaled air has not yet been sufficiently demonstrated. In pandemic situations low-tech disposable and user-friendly bedside devices are required, while commercially available samplers are unsuitable for application in patients with respiratory distress. We included 49 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and used a disposable modular breath sampler to measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in exhaled air samples and compared these SARS-CoV-2 RNA load of combined nasopharyngeal throat swabs and saliva. Exhaled air sampling using the modular breath sampler has proven to be feasible in a clinical COVID-19 setting and demonstrated viral detection in 25% of the patients (Figure 1).

[Lung ultrasound in patients with symptoms of covid-19]

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents a challenge for healthcare worldwide. In this context, rapid, correct diagnosis and early isolation of infected persons is of great importance. Pneumonia as an expression of COVID-19 is responsible for the most part of morbidity and mortality. Lung ultrasound can provide valuable information about the diagnosis of a COVID-19 pneumonia in daily practice. A normal ultrasound excludes COVID-19 pneumonia. Conversely, finding abnormalities matching with a COVID-19 pneumonia can be useful for isolation policy. Follow up lung ultrasound visualizes the development of the pneumonia and a possible alternative diagnosis can thereby be determined in the event of a deviating clinical course.