SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid shedding is variable for every person

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Daiana de Lima-Morales, Priscila Lamb Wink, Fabiana Caroline Zempulski Volpato, Joíza Lins Camargo, Fernanda de-Paris, Afonso Luís Barth
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2021
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2; Viral RNA Shedding; RT-qPCR; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0162-2021; https://doaj.org/article/767b22377c124a0a91200b63f55d3024

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Considering the persistent positivity on RT-qPCR tests, the results of SARS-CoV-2 were monitored to evaluate the viral RNA shedding period. METHODS: Between March and June 2020, the sequential results of 29 healthcare workers’ were monitored using RT-qPCR. RESULTS: More than 50% of the individuals remained RT-qPCR positive after 14 days. Furthermore, this is the first study to describe positive RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 in a healthcare worker with mild symptoms 95 days after the first positive test. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential RT-qPCR results were heterogeneous, and the viral RNA shedding period is unique for each person.