Pilot Study: Long-Term Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Urine: A Threat for Dispersal in Wastewater

Andreina Baj; Lorenzo Azzi; Daniela Dalla Gasperina; Angelo Genoni; Antonio Tamborini; Cinzia Gambarini; Giulio Carcano; Paolo Grossi; Fausto Sessa

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.569209

Frontiers in Public Health (Nov 2020)

Pilot Study: Long-Term Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Urine: A Threat for Dispersal in Wastewater

Andreina Baj,
Lorenzo Azzi,
Daniela Dalla Gasperina,
Angelo Genoni,
Antonio Tamborini,
Cinzia Gambarini,
Giulio Carcano,
Paolo Grossi,
Fausto Sessa

Affiliations

Andreina Baj: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Lorenzo Azzi: Unit of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Daniela Dalla Gasperina: Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Angelo Genoni: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Antonio Tamborini: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Cinzia Gambarini: S.C. Pneumology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy
Giulio Carcano: Unit of General Emergency and Transplant Surgery, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) dei Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Paolo Grossi: Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
Fausto Sessa: Pathology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.569209
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8

Abstract

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Only 4 months after the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, the world is facing a global pandemic due to a complex and insidious virus that today constantly poses new challenges. In this study, we highlight a persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA into the urine, even in patients with a negative nasopharyngeal swab and in patients considered recovered. What does it mean? Besides the fact that the kidney is a probable site of viral replication, the prolonged viral excretion is a matter of great concern for our drainage system contamination.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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