Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019.
J Microbiol Immunol Infect
; 53(3): 473-480, 2020 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-17539
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory and fecal specimens in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).METHODS:
From January 17, 2020 to February 23, 2020, three paediatric cases of COVID-19 were reported in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment data were collected. Patients were followed up to March 10, 2020, and dynamic profiles of nucleic acid testing results in throat swabs and fecal specimens were closely monitored.RESULTS:
Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tract occurred within two weeks after abatement of fever, whereas viral RNA remained detectable in stools of pediatric patients for longer than 4 weeks. Two children had fecal SARS-CoV-2 undetectable 20 days after throat swabs showing negative, while that of another child lagged behind for 8 days.CONCLUSIONS:
SARS-CoV-2 may exist in children's gastrointestinal tract for a longer time than respiratory system. Persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools of infected children raises the possibility that the virus might be transmitted through contaminated fomites. Massive efforts should be made at all levels to prevent spreading of the infection among children after reopening of kindergartens and schools.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Virus Shedding
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Gastrointestinal Tract
/
Feces
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Microbiol Immunol Infect
Journal subject:
Allergy and Immunology
/
Microbiology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.jmii.2020.03.021
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