Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 14, 2020

Prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in faecal samples

Category:

Topic:

  • Wu et al present SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR results from respiratory and fecal samples taken from 98 COVID-19 patients at a Chinese hospital, throughout the course of their illness and quarantine period. Their data suggest the possibility of extended duration of viral shedding in feces for nearly 5 weeks after respiratory samples tested negative, which may have implications for patient discharge and quarantine.

Wu et al. (March 19, 2020). Prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in faecal samples. Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(20)30083-2