Undetectable SARS-CoV-2 in a nasopharyngeal swab but persistent viral RNA from deep lung swabs: findings from an autopsy.
BMJ Case Rep
; 13(10)2020 Oct 31.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-901287
ABSTRACT
During the global pandemic of COVID-19 accurate diagnosis of the infection by demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by PCR in specimens is crucial for therapeutic and preventative interventions. There have been instances where nasal and throat swabs have been negative despite the patient having typical clinical and radiological findings compatible with the disease. We report a case of a man in his late 50s, brought to the hospital following a cardiac arrest and prolonged unsuccessful resuscitation. The history was typical for COVID-19 with fever for 10 days and worsening shortness of breath. His throat and nasal swabs (after death) were negative for SARS-CoV-2. A limited diagnostic autopsy was performed after 27 days, and lung swabs confirmed presence of SARS-CoV-2. This case highlights the importance of lung swabs when initial upper respiratory tract swabs are negative and proves that the virus can be detected from dead human tissue almost a month later.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pharynx
/
Pneumonia, Viral
/
DNA, Viral
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Clinical Laboratory Techniques
/
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
/
Lung
Type of study:
Case report
/
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bcr-2020-237446
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS