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.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Repeat positive, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, IgG, IgM, coronavirus, social distancing, Comorbidities, Symptom, cough, healthcare worker, discharge, Case report, hospitals, Reinfection, PCR, Characteristics, Immunoglobulin, HCWs, Fever, male, Patient, Face masks, epidemiological, viral culture, information, recovered, COVID-19 patient, hygiene, HCW, acute respiratory syndrome, individual, SARS-CoV-2 positivity, Positive test, Negative PCR, positive, females, polymerase chain, tested, analyzed, identify, ranged, characteristics of patient, immunological assay, 【제목키워드】 Test, PCR, clinical,