Clinical Characteristics and Viral Shedding Kinetics of 38 Asymptomatic Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: To investigate the clinical characteristics and viral shedding kinetics of asymptomatic patients with COVID-19. Methods: The data of 38 asymptomatic patients infected with positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid were collected from February – March 2020 in Tuanfeng County, Huanggang, Hubei, China. The epidemiology, laboratory examination, chest imaging, viral nucleic acid test results, clinical characteristics, and viral shedding time were summarized in this retrospective study. Findings: The study consisted of 20 family members of patients with COVID-19, and 10 were medical personnel participating in COVID-19 treatment or working in a fever clinic, 6 were personnel from quarantine places, 1 had close contact history with other confirmed patients, and the remaining 1 was local epidemic prevention personnel. All were positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. The white blood cell (WBC) count, the absolute value of lymphocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer were normal. Pneumonia manifestation was not detected found in the chest CT scan in 36 patients. The remaining 2 cases included a 1-year old child and pregnant woman, respectively, who did not undergo a chest CT scan. Viral shedding time was 6 days. Conclusion: All asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 had a history of close contact or exposure. Laboratory testing was normal; chest imaging did not show any pneumonia manifestation and viral shedding time was <10 days, which was shorter than that of patients with COVID-19. A timely discovery of such asymptomatic infections is crucial for blocking the spread of the virus and strengthening the prevention and control measures. Funding: None Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that there are no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the ethics committee of Tuanfeng County People's Hospital.