Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019

Objective: To determine the dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory and fecal specimens in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: From January 17, 2020 to February 23, 2020, three paediatric cases of COVID-19 were report...

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Main Authors: Yu-Han Xing, Wei Ni, Qin Wu, Wen-Jie Li, Guo-Ju Li, Wen-Di Wang, Jian-Ning Tong, Xiu-Feng Song, Gary Wing-Kin Wong, Quan-Sheng Xing
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-06-01
Series:Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118220300815
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author Yu-Han Xing
Wei Ni
Qin Wu
Wen-Jie Li
Guo-Ju Li
Wen-Di Wang
Jian-Ning Tong
Xiu-Feng Song
Gary Wing-Kin Wong
Quan-Sheng Xing
author_facet Yu-Han Xing
Wei Ni
Qin Wu
Wen-Jie Li
Guo-Ju Li
Wen-Di Wang
Jian-Ning Tong
Xiu-Feng Song
Gary Wing-Kin Wong
Quan-Sheng Xing
author_sort Yu-Han Xing
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To determine the dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory and fecal specimens in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: From January 17, 2020 to February 23, 2020, three paediatric cases of COVID-19 were reported in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment data were collected. Patients were followed up to March 10, 2020, and dynamic profiles of nucleic acid testing results in throat swabs and fecal specimens were closely monitored. Results: Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tract occurred within two weeks after abatement of fever, whereas viral RNA remained detectable in stools of pediatric patients for longer than 4 weeks. Two children had fecal SARS-CoV-2 undetectable 20 days after throat swabs showing negative, while that of another child lagged behind for 8 days. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may exist in children's gastrointestinal tract for a longer time than respiratory system. Persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools of infected children raises the possibility that the virus might be transmitted through contaminated fomites. Massive efforts should be made at all levels to prevent spreading of the infection among children after reopening of kindergartens and schools.
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spelling doaj.art-89ca78722b074868ac4afbf4a4b963562022-12-21T23:52:34ZengElsevierJournal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection1684-11822020-06-01533473480Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019Yu-Han Xing0Wei Ni1Qin Wu2Wen-Jie Li3Guo-Ju Li4Wen-Di Wang5Jian-Ning Tong6Xiu-Feng Song7Gary Wing-Kin Wong8Quan-Sheng Xing9Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaQingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, ChinaDepartment of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Corresponding author. Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China; Corresponding author. No.6 Tongfu Road, 266000, Qingdao, China.Objective: To determine the dynamic changes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in respiratory and fecal specimens in children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: From January 17, 2020 to February 23, 2020, three paediatric cases of COVID-19 were reported in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics and treatment data were collected. Patients were followed up to March 10, 2020, and dynamic profiles of nucleic acid testing results in throat swabs and fecal specimens were closely monitored. Results: Clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tract occurred within two weeks after abatement of fever, whereas viral RNA remained detectable in stools of pediatric patients for longer than 4 weeks. Two children had fecal SARS-CoV-2 undetectable 20 days after throat swabs showing negative, while that of another child lagged behind for 8 days. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may exist in children's gastrointestinal tract for a longer time than respiratory system. Persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools of infected children raises the possibility that the virus might be transmitted through contaminated fomites. Massive efforts should be made at all levels to prevent spreading of the infection among children after reopening of kindergartens and schools.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118220300815SARS-CoV-2COVID-19Pediatric patientFecal shedding
spellingShingle Yu-Han Xing
Wei Ni
Qin Wu
Wen-Jie Li
Guo-Ju Li
Wen-Di Wang
Jian-Ning Tong
Xiu-Feng Song
Gary Wing-Kin Wong
Quan-Sheng Xing
Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Pediatric patient
Fecal shedding
title Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
title_full Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
title_fullStr Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
title_full_unstemmed Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
title_short Prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
title_sort prolonged viral shedding in feces of pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019
topic SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Pediatric patient
Fecal shedding
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118220300815
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