tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Clin Pract
. 2021 Dec 18;11(4):954-960.
doi: 10.3390/clinpract11040110.
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Re-Detected on PCR Test after Discharge from Isolation
Abdullah J Alsahafi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Manal M Al Daajani[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ahmed A Osman[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Abdulhamed L Moawwad[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdullah M Algarni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ibrahim M Asiri[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Wadea O Nofal[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rayan M Alselami[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
There have been multiple reports of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after discharge; however, information on the characteristics of such cases is limited. In this case report, we aimed to identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients who had a repeat positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed data of 22 COVID-19 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing after two consecutive negative PCR results following discharge from hospitals. The interval between the two positive tests in the episodes of COVID-19 ranged from 4 to 117 days. More than one-third of the cases were healthcare workers (HCWs) and one-third of them had comorbidities. The main symptoms were cough and fever, and we noticed that males experienced more symptoms and signs of COVID-19 than females. Individuals with repeat SARS-CoV-2 positivity tend to experience milder illness during the second episode than the first episode. To confirm the reinfection of SARS-CoV-2, the results of other tests, such as viral culture and immunological assays of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), need to be considered. Recovered COVID-19 patients should continue social distancing, using face masks, and practicing hand hygiene, especially HCWs who are more likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords: COVID-19; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; SARS-CoV-2; real-time polymerase chain reaction; repeat positive.
. 2021 Dec 18;11(4):954-960.
doi: 10.3390/clinpract11040110.
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Re-Detected on PCR Test after Discharge from Isolation
Abdullah J Alsahafi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Manal M Al Daajani[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ahmed A Osman[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Abdulhamed L Moawwad[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Abdullah M Algarni[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Ibrahim M Asiri[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Wadea O Nofal[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rayan M Alselami[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34940009
- DOI: 10.3390/clinpract11040110
Abstract
There have been multiple reports of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after discharge; however, information on the characteristics of such cases is limited. In this case report, we aimed to identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients who had a repeat positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed data of 22 COVID-19 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing after two consecutive negative PCR results following discharge from hospitals. The interval between the two positive tests in the episodes of COVID-19 ranged from 4 to 117 days. More than one-third of the cases were healthcare workers (HCWs) and one-third of them had comorbidities. The main symptoms were cough and fever, and we noticed that males experienced more symptoms and signs of COVID-19 than females. Individuals with repeat SARS-CoV-2 positivity tend to experience milder illness during the second episode than the first episode. To confirm the reinfection of SARS-CoV-2, the results of other tests, such as viral culture and immunological assays of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), need to be considered. Recovered COVID-19 patients should continue social distancing, using face masks, and practicing hand hygiene, especially HCWs who are more likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
Keywords: COVID-19; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; SARS-CoV-2; real-time polymerase chain reaction; repeat positive.