SARS-CoV-2: Viral Loads of Exhaled Breath and Oronasopharyngeal Specimens in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

Autor: Madiha Malik, Ann-Cathrin Kunze, Thomas Bahmer, Stefan Herget-Rosenthal, Thomas Kunze
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol 110, Iss , Pp 105-110 (2021)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1201-9712
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.012
Popis: Background: SARS-CoV-2 seems mainly transmissible via respiratory droplets. We compared the time-dependent SARS-CoV-2 viral load in serial pharyngeal swab with exhaled breath (EB) samples of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this prospective proof of concept study, we examined hospitalized patients who initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Paired oronasopharyngeal swab and EB specimens were taken at different days of hospitalization. EB collection was performed through a simple, noninvasive method using an electret air filter-based device. SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection was determined with real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of 187 serial samples from 15 hospitalized patients, 87/87 oronasopharyngeal swabs and 70/100 EB specimens tested positive. Comparing the number of SARS-CoV-2 copies, the viral load of the oronasopharyngeal swabs was significantly higher (CI 99%, P<
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