Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 19, 2020

Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes

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  • Biological samples taken from 15 COVID-19 patients in one Chinese hospital were tested for the presence of 2019-nCoV. Oral samples tested positive in only half of patients, 4 had positive anal swabs, 6 had positive blood samples, and 3 were also serum positive. 
  • A second analysis suggests that oral swabs tend to test positive more during early illness while anal swabs test positive more during later stages. The study highlights concerns around the reliability of oral swabs as the only sample drawn for testing. 

Zhang et al. (Feb 17, 2020). Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes. Emerging Microbes & Infections. https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071