Abstract
Background The SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused one of the worst pandemics that history has ever known. SARS-CoV-2 can lead to multiple organ failure, which is life-threatening. Viral RNA is found in the lung, intestine, testicle, kidney, etc., which suggests the virus can be transmitted also via routes besides respiratory droplets. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in urethral swabs. Methods We enrolled ten patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who attended the Infectious Diseases Unit of the A.O.U. Federico II of Naples, from March 2020 to April 2020. One urethral swab and one rhino-oropharyngeal swab were collected from each patient during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results All ten patients had a negative urethral swab for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, whereas the rhino-oropharyngeal swab was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This finding demonstrates that, in our patients, the virus did not affect the urinary tract and therefore would not be found in the urine, and even more importantly, it would not be transmitted via urine. This result was independent of the stage of the disease. Conclusion If confirmed in larger studies, this observation could be the key to understanding the role of SARS-CoV-2 in relation to the genitourinary system.
Highlights
Introduction e recent SARSCoV-2 infection is the cause of one of the most important pandemics that history has ever experienced
COVID-19 was defined by a positive rhino-oropharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse polymerase chain reaction and by clinical-laboratory-instrumental manifestations characteristic of this infection. e clinical manifestations were fever, dry cough, asthenia, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, pharyngodynia, myalgia, diarrhea, dyspnea, hypoxemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, acidosis metabolic, coagulation deficiency, and multiple organ failure (MOF)
Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were distinguished by the stage of the disease; in particular, they distinguished patients with an asymptomatic form, patients with a mild-moderate form, patients with nonsevere pneumonia, patients with severe pneumonia, and patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [10]
Summary
CoV-2 infection is the cause of one of the most important pandemics that history has ever experienced. SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19 [1, 2]. E main manifestations of COVID-19 infection are fever, dry cough, and asthenia. Rapid progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, metabolic acidosis, coagulation deficiency, and lastly multiple organ failure may occur in critically ill patients [3]. E rapid development and serious consequences of the infection prompted authorities to contain the pandemic and researchers to study the transmission pathways [6]. E human receptor of SARS-CoV-2 is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, which is expressed in the lung, intestine, testicle, kidney, etc. The mechanisms via which the infection is transmitted are not fully understood
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