Pediatr Investig. 2020 Mar;4(1):48-50.
doi: 10.1002/ped4.12186. Epub 2020 Mar 17.
Anal Swab Findings in an Infant With COVID-19
Qihong Fan 1 , Yan Pan 1 , Qingcui Wu 1 , Shan Liu 1 , Xu Song 1 , Zhongguo Xie 1 , Yang Liu 1 , Liang Zhao 1 , Zhonghong Wang 1 , Yifei Zhang 1 , Zuchuang Wu 1 , Lei Guan 1 , Xiaolong Lv 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 32328338
- PMCID: PMC7167876
- DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12186
Abstract
Introduction: The transmission pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain not completely clear. In this case study the test for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in pharyngeal swab and anal swab were compared.
Case presentation: A 3-month-old girl was admitted to our hospital with COVID-19. Her parents had both been diagnosed with COVID-19. The results of pharyngeal swab and anal swab of the little girl were recorded and compared during the course of the disease. The oropharyngeal specimen showed negative result for SARS-CoV-2 on the 14th day after onset of the illness. However, the anal swab was still positive for SARS-CoV-2 on the 28th day after the onset of the illness.
Conclusion: The possibility of fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 should be assessed. Personal hygiene during home quarantine merits considerable attention.