key: cord-0869379-4832h1ht
authors: Yang, Jian‐Rong; Deng, Dao‐Ting; Wu, Nan; Yang, Bin; Li, Hong‐Juan; Pan, Xiao‐Ben
title: Persistent viral RNA positivity during recovery period of a patient with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
date: 2020-04-24
journal: J Med Virol
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25940
sha: 1f9336cc55a31ee0cc67188ce0152e7dab12b148
doc_id: 869379
cord_uid: 4832h1ht

As an emerging infectious disease, the clinical course and virological course of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection remain to be further investigated. In this case report, we described a case of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with clinical course more than two months. This patient had recovered from the pneumonia after treatment. The viral RNA of throat swabs became negative and the viral specific antibodies were produced during recovery period. However, the viral RNA reappeared and additionally persisted in throat swabs for more than 40 days. In addition, the viral RNA was detected in multiple types of specimens with extremely high titers in the saliva. In conclusion, these findings indicate that SARS‐CoV‐2 can cause a long clinical course. The coexistence of viral RNA and viral specific antibodies may imply an immune evasion of SARAS‐CoV‐2 from host's immune system. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The emergence and spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have become a global health concern. As the name of the virus, SARS-CoV-2 is presumed to cause an acute infection, the clinical spectrum encompasses asymptomatic infection, mild upper respiratory tract illness, and severe viral pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. [1] [2] [3] However, as an emerging infectious disease, the clinical course and virological course of SARS-CoV-2 infection remain to be further investigated. In this study, we are reporting a case of SARS-CoV-2 infection with the clinical course lasted for more than two months.

On February 1, 2020, a 44-year-old man was admitted to a hospital in Wuhan, with the presentation of fever, malaise, and fatigue for 11 days. The patients did not have a past medical history of immunodeficiency-related diseases. His temperature was 37.1°C, oxygen saturation was 92% on room air, and respiratory rate was 26 breaths per min-rough breathing sounds but without any signs of dry or wet rale. Laboratory examinations showed decreased lymphocytes Accepted Article (1.03×10 9 /L), increased monocyte (1.03×10 9 /L) and CRP (61.5 mg/L) without any abnormalities in the liver, heart and renal functions. As shown in Fig 

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