To better assess the risk for transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome–associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), we obtained serial specimens and clinical and exposure data from seven confirmed U.S. SARS patients and their 10 household contacts. SARS-CoV was detected in a day-14 sputum specimen from one case-patient and in five stool specimens from two case-patients. In one case-patient, SARS-CoV persisted in stool for at least 26 days after symptom onset. The highest amounts of virus were in the day-14 sputum sample and a day-14 stool sample. Residual respiratory symptoms were still present in recovered SARS case-patients 2 months after illness onset. Possible transmission of SARS-CoV occurred in one household contact, but this person had also traveled to a SARS-affected area. The data suggest that SARS-CoV is not always transmitted efficiently. Laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection is difficult; thus, sputum and stool specimens should be included in the diagnostic work-up for SARS-CoV infection.
【저자키워드】 Epidemiology, Transmission, Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), outbreak, natural history, SARS-associated coronavirus, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus, SARS-CoV, diagnostic, risk, Transmission, sputum, virus, Stool, laboratory diagnosis, household contacts, Contact, symptom onset, specimen, SARS-CoV infection, respiratory symptom, illness onset, FIVE, Seven, residual, detected, highest, included, SARS patient, occurred, United State, transmitted, Possible,