July 24, 2020

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• A systematic literature review (37 studies, 22 used in meta-analysis) showed consistent recovery of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material from the upper respiratory tract (URT), the lower respiratory tract (LRT), and the feces, regardless of clinical severity. SARS-CoV-2 was found to persist for longer in moderate-to-severe patients versus mild patients for both the URT and feces, and to persist for longer in the LRT than URT in adult patients. Viral load was also found to peak in earlier stages of infection in the URT compared to the LRT.   

Weiss et al. (Aug 1, 2020). Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. EBioMedicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102916