Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in a young man recovering from traumatic pneumothorax

We describe a case of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in an HIV-negative 21-year-old man recovering from abdominal and thoracic trauma. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs collected at 12 time points over a 95-day span all tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Genotyping revealed canonical beta-variant E484K and N501Y mutations at earlier time points. Human rhinovirus, coronavirus NL63 and respiratory syncytial virus B were detected at different time points by RT-PCR. Full blood analysis at time point 9 (day 82) showed leukopenia with lymphocytosis. The patient's NP swab tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR 101 days after the first positive test. The prolonged duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in the context of trauma presented here is unique and has important implications for COVID-19 diagnosis, management and policy guidelines.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Umunnakwe,C N, Makatini,Z N, Mdunyelwa,A, Maphanga,M, Nijhuis,M, Wensing,A, Tempelman,H A
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	South African Medical Association 2022
Online Access:	http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-95742022000200006
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