Prolonged viral RNA shedding after COVID-19 symptom resolution in older convalescent plasma donors
Abstract
Importance
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for a world-wide pandemic. While the medical community understands the mode of viral transmission, less is known about how long viral shedding occurs once viral symptoms have resolved.
Objective
To determine how long the SARS-CoV-2 remains detectable following self-reporting of viral symptom resolution.
Design
A cohort of 86 previously SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were re-tested for proof of viral recovery by nasal swab and nucleic acid amplification less than 28 days after self-reported symptom resolution. This study was approved by the University of Wisconsin Institutional Review Board.
Setting
A tertiary care center in a mid-size city utilizing a drive-through SAR-CoV-2 testing center.
Participants
86 previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals less than 28 days after self-reported resolution of symptoms evaluated as potential donors for COVID-19 convalescent plasma.
Intervention
Participants underwent nasopharyngeal sampling and subsequent nucleic acid amplification for SARS-CoV-2 genes.
Main Outcome
SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal secretions detected by rtPCR.
Results
11/86 (13%) previously confirmed SARS-CoV-2 subjects were still positive at a median of 19 days (range 12-24 days) after symptom resolution. Older patients were more likely to be test-positive, and older positive patients had lower rtPCR C T values. Test-positive patients were not significantly different from test-negative patients with respect to days since symptom recovery.
Conclusions and Resolution
These results underscore the necessity of testing COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors less than 28 days after symptom resolution and suggests that COVID-19 positive patients may need to remain in quarantine beyond the recommended two weeks following “recovery.”
Trial Registration
n/a
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