SARS-CoV-2 Replication at Different Body Sites

The virus replicates in the upper respiratory tract and can persist in sputum after clearance from the throat.

To clarify the pathogenesis of COVID-19, researchers in Germany conducted a virologic analysis of serial samples from nine young to middle-aged hospitalized patients with epidemiologically linked, reverse-transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections (all had known contacts to an index case) and without significant underlying disease. Except for one initially asymptomatic patient, all had mild symptoms, including cough, fever, and diarrhea. Four developed disorders of taste, smell, or both, and one reported dyspnea.

All naso- and oropharyngeal swabs obtained during the first 5 symptomatic days were positive (average viral RNA load, 6.8×10⁵ copies/swab; maximum, 7.1×10⁸). Detection rates dropped to 40% after…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

SARS-CoV-2 Replication at Different Body Sites

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Reviewing Author