Open Forum Infect Dis
. 2021 May 20;8(6):ofab164.
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab164. eCollection 2021 Jun.
Time to SARS-CoV-2 PCR Clearance in Immunocompromising Conditions: Is Test-Based Removal From Isolation Necessary in Severely Immunocompromised Individuals?
Rachel L Epstein 1 , Heather Sperring 2 , Melissa Hofman 3 , Sara Lodi 4 , Laura F White 4 , Joshua A Barocas 1 , Tara C Bouton 1 , Yian Xiao 5 , Heather E Hsu 6 , Nancy S Miller 7 , Benjamin P Linas 1 , Jai G Marathe 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 34189164
- PMCID: PMC8231388
- DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab164
Abstract
To determine the association between immunosuppression and time to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clearance, we studied 3758 adults retested following initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated delayed PCR clearance with older age, multiple comorbidities, and solid organ transplant but not by degree of immunocompromise. These findings challenge current retesting practices.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); disease severity; immunocompromised host; immunosuppression; polymerase chain reaction; virus shedding.