1. Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in a young man recovering from traumatic pneumothorax.
- Author
-
Umunnakwe CN, Makatini ZN, Mdunyelwa A, Mphanga M, Nijhuis M, Wensing A, and Tempelman HA
- Subjects
- Genotype, Humans, Male, RNA, Viral isolation & purification, SARS-CoV-2 genetics, Time Factors, Virus Shedding, Young Adult, COVID-19 diagnosis, COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing, Pneumothorax physiopathology, SARS-CoV-2 isolation & purification
- Abstract
We describe a case of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in an HIV-negative 21-year-old man recovering from abdominal and thoracic trauma. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs collected at 12 time points over a 95-day span all tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Genotyping revealed canonical beta-variant E484K and N501Y mutations at earlier time points. Human rhinovirus, coronavirus NL63 and respiratory syncytial virus B were detected at different time points by RT-PCR. Full blood analysis at time point 9 (day 82) showed leukopenia with lymphocytosis. The patient's NP swab tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR 101 days after the first positive test. The prolonged duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in the context of trauma presented here is unique and has important implications for COVID-19 diagnosis, management and policy guidelines.
- Published
- 2022