Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays Reverted to Positive in 25 Discharged Patients With COVID-19

Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Nov 19;71(16):2230-2232. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa398.

Abstract

We report the observation that 14.5% of COVID-19 patients had positive RT-PCR testing again after discharge. We describe correlations between laboratory parameters and treatment duration (P = .002) and time to virus recrudescence (P = .008), suggesting the need for additional measures to confirm illness resolution in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; D-dimer level; discharged patients; recurrent viral activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Child
  • China
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Discharge*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • RNA, Viral