key: cord-0836607-3y5kt827
authors: Hu, Junjie; Li, Shi; Wu, Yan; Xiong, Zhiguo; Yang, Yichen; Gong, Lichong; Tian, Fei
title: Surveillance and re‐positive RNA test in patients recovered from COVID‐19
date: 2020-10-08
journal: J Med Virol
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26568
sha: 46986da3bdc09d36f62f5f23cc4bae085f0853b1
doc_id: 836607
cord_uid: 3y5kt827

There are still few observational reports related to the incidence of re-detectable SARS-CoV-2 virus among recovered COVID-19 patients. We prospectively analyzed 117 hospitalized patients with mild pneumonia in Wuhan Fangcang Hospital. Eight patients (6.8%) showed re-positive test after a median 12.5 (11.8-16.3) days. Seven of them were asymptomatic. No new transmission have been observed. Although the phenomenon of re-detectable still appears intermittently, its harmfulness is not serious. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

after a median 12. 5 (11.8-16.3) However, no further transmission to surrounding persons had been observed. Although the initial C t value was not obviously different from the subsequent C t value among re-positive patients, whether the virus load during the follow-up period was lower or not need more prospective clinical research. In addition, false-negative may be inevitable as different size and depth of taking samples can affect the accuracy of the oropharyngeal swab. In contrast, the positive rate of RT-PCR tests through alveolar lavage fluid may be higher. However, this method is invasive and cannot be widely performed in clinical practice. In our opinion, both qualities of respiratory samples and the variability of technique sensitivity can be attributed to the influence factors of re-positivity.

We noted that the values of C-reactive protein in re-positive patients were comparatively lower. Due to the limited sample size, if a relatively weaker inflammatory response might give rise to virus residual in the lungs is still unclear. In addition, redetection of viral RNA by PCR does not imply viral reactivation. Most patients will produce antibodies 10 days or later after infection. 4 Due to the gradual presence of antibody immunoglobulin G, 5 Myalgia 7 (6.0%) 1 (12.5%) 6 (5.5%) .3992

Fatigue 12 (10.3%) 0 (0.0%) 12 (11.0%) 1.0000

Dyspnea 10 (8.5%) 0 (0.0%) 10 (9.2%) 1.0000

Expectoration 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1.0000 White blood cell count (×10 9 /L) 5.30 (4.20-6.13) 4.81 (4.20-5.55) 5.30 (4.20-6.13) .6835

Neutrophil count (×10 9 /L) 3.30 (2.56-4.43) 2.89 (2.69-3.46) 3.34 (2.56-4.43) .6631

Eosinophilic granulocyte (×10 9 /L) 0.01 (0.00-0.02) 0.04 (0.01-0.10) 0.01 (0.00-0.02) .4693

Lymphocyte count (×10 9 /L) 1.21 ( Inhalation of high flow oxygen 14 (12.0%) 2 (25.0%) 12 (11.0%) .2446

Abbreviation: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Administrative, technical, or material support was contributed by

Lichong Gong BS 5

Positive RT-PCR test results in patients recovered from COVID-19

Post-discharge surveillance and positive virus detection in two medical staff recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), China

National Health Commission of China. Guidance for diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia. National Health Commission of China

Temporal profiles of viral load in posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples and serum antibody responses during infection by SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study

Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in severe COVID-19 patients

Abbreviation: COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4106-2841