Abstract
Introduction: The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the standard method for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This PCR test can be positive even in patients who have recovered from the disease, and the duration for achieving viral clearance has not been clarified yet.
Methods: This study was conducted between April 3, 2020, and June 17, 2020, at the Toyama University Hospital and the Toyama Rehabilitation Home. We collected the data of patients with COVID-19, analyzing the duration until twice-consecutive negative qRT-PCR test.
Results: A total of 42 patients were enrolled. The median duration of the twice-consecutive negative qRT-PCR test was 29.0 d (interquartile range: 25.75-35.25). The longest duration of viral shedding was 73 d. The duration of viral clearance was significantly longer in the older (>65 years) group than in the younger group (34.5 d vs. 25.0 d, P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that viral clearance tends to be sustained in the older adults.
Keywords: COVID-19; Viral clearance; qRT-PCR.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, qRT-PCR, viral clearance, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus disease 2019, coronavirus, qRT-PCR, viral shedding, Diagnosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, viral clearance, RNA, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, polymerase chain reaction, Adults, Patient, reverse transcription, PCR test, university, Quantitative, be positive, Chain Reaction, interquartile range, acute respiratory syndrome, Older, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, positive, Toyama, home, polymerase chain, enrolled, collected, significantly, the disease, conducted, median, demonstrated, sustained, interquartile, patients with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 coronavirus, Prolonged, acute respiratory syndrome, Older,