International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Mar 2021)
A case of extremely prolonged viral shedding: Could cell cultures be a diagnostic tool to drive COVID-19 patient discharge?
- Davide Mileto,
- Antonella Foschi,
- Alessandro Mancon,
- Stefania Merli,
- Federica Staurenghi,
- Laura Pezzati,
- Alberto Rizzo,
- Federico Conti,
- Francesca Romeri,
- Dario Bernacchia,
- Rachele Meroni,
- Giuliano Rizzardini,
- Maria Rita Gismondo,
- Valeria Micheli
Affiliations
- Davide Mileto
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy; Corresponding author at: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, via G. B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy.
- Antonella Foschi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Alessandro Mancon
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Stefania Merli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Federica Staurenghi
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Laura Pezzati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Alberto Rizzo
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Federico Conti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Francesca Romeri
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Dario Bernacchia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Rachele Meroni
- Department of Internal Medicine, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Giuliano Rizzardini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Maria Rita Gismondo
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Valeria Micheli
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Journal volume & issue
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Vol. 104
pp. 631 – 633
Abstract
This study addressed the case of a patient with prolonged COVID-19 viral shedding, reported by Real-Time PCR, until 71 days from symptom onset. However, viral culture received negative results after 30 days from symptom onset. Therefore, viral culture may be a worthwhile test for patients requiring discharge, in particular for those presenting prolonged viral shedding.
