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

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

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.569209

Abstract

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.

Highlights

After having looked at China as the place of onset of an epidemic in December 2019, on February 18, 2020 we recorded the first case of COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy
We demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected in urine of COVID-19 patients even when the patient is no longer symptomatic and in some cases for a long time
In all patients but one (95%), we found RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in urine sediment, in a period lasting until 41 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

After having looked at China as the place of onset of an epidemic in December 2019, on February 18, 2020 we recorded the first case of COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy. The viral agent, SARS-CoV-2, belongs to Coronaviridae family and, together with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, is the third zoonotic coronavirus that, in recent history, has emerged in the human population causing severe and unexpected disease outbreaks [2, 3]. In this storm that has caught everyone unprepared, we have tried to cope with many issues related to the diagnosis and management of this disease, and many others are coming to light. The gold standard to detect the virus in the patients affected by COVID-19 is an rRT-PCR on their nasopharyngeal swabs, both for diagnosis and follow-up. Patients are discharged but the SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be still present in the saliva [4, 5], and probably in other body districts, possibly acting as a viral reservoir [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion