tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Infect Public Health
. 2020 Oct 27;S1876-0341(20)30710-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.10.013. Online ahead of print.
Case report of a neonate with high viral SARSCoV-2 loads and long-term virus shedding
Monique A L J Slaats[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maud Versteylen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Karin B Gast[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Bas B Oude Munnink[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Suzan D Pas[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Robbert G Bentvelsen[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ron van Beek[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally. Currently, literature of SARS-CoV-2 in neonates is scarce. We present a case of a neonate with a high viral load and prolonged virus shedding.
Methods: Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, laboratory data and follow-up information and the treatment of a neonate with COVID-19 were recorded.
Results: A 7-day-old boy was admitted to the hospital with fever, lethargy and apnoea. He was found SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive with an exceptionally high viral load in nasopharyngeal swab and stool. The father and two maternity nurses at home had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA as well. Sequencing showed all strains belonged to the same cluster. The father was asymptomatic and the maternity nurses developed symptoms after visiting. In the mother, no SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be found. Six days after admission, the neonate was discharged after clinical improvement with oral antibiotics because of a possible pyelonephritis. Monitoring the course of this infection showed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detectable in the nasopharynx until day 19 and in stool until day 42 after symptom onset.
Conclusions: This case shows that neonates can have a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and can shed the virus for over one month in stool. Despite the high viral load in the neonate, the mother and a sibling did not get infected.
Keywords: COVID19; Neonates; Novel coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2.
. 2020 Oct 27;S1876-0341(20)30710-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.10.013. Online ahead of print.
Case report of a neonate with high viral SARSCoV-2 loads and long-term virus shedding
Monique A L J Slaats[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maud Versteylen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Karin B Gast[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Bas B Oude Munnink[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Suzan D Pas[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Robbert G Bentvelsen[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Ron van Beek[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33158806
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.10.013
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally. Currently, literature of SARS-CoV-2 in neonates is scarce. We present a case of a neonate with a high viral load and prolonged virus shedding.
Methods: Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment, laboratory data and follow-up information and the treatment of a neonate with COVID-19 were recorded.
Results: A 7-day-old boy was admitted to the hospital with fever, lethargy and apnoea. He was found SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive with an exceptionally high viral load in nasopharyngeal swab and stool. The father and two maternity nurses at home had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA as well. Sequencing showed all strains belonged to the same cluster. The father was asymptomatic and the maternity nurses developed symptoms after visiting. In the mother, no SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be found. Six days after admission, the neonate was discharged after clinical improvement with oral antibiotics because of a possible pyelonephritis. Monitoring the course of this infection showed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detectable in the nasopharynx until day 19 and in stool until day 42 after symptom onset.
Conclusions: This case shows that neonates can have a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and can shed the virus for over one month in stool. Despite the high viral load in the neonate, the mother and a sibling did not get infected.
Keywords: COVID19; Neonates; Novel coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2.