Journal of medical virology
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We primarily quantified exposure patterns, transmission characteristics, and the clinical spectrum of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among household contacts of individuals with severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 20 index patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and 79 of their household contacts. We determined the transmission frequency, range of manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and factors associated with infection in household settings. ⋯ Handwashing ≥ 5 times/day was associated with reduced infection risk (52.8% vs. 76.9%, p = .04). SARS-CoV-2 has a high frequency of transmission among household contacts. Nonhospitalized individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection should be quarantined in patient care facilities rather than at home to minimize spread, if possible, and frequent handwashing should be practiced to prevent transmission.
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The transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can occur through an airborne route, in addition to contaminated surfaces and objects. In hospitals, it has been confirmed by several studies that SARS-CoV-2 can contaminate surfaces and medical equipment especially in hospitals dedicated to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The aim of this study was to detect the contamination of hands, objects, and surfaces in isolation rooms and also in outpatients' clinics in hospitals and polyclinics. ⋯ Although no positive swabs were found in shops and public facilities, random ATM swabs returned a positive result for SARS-CoV-2. Although there is no longer a focus on COVID-19 wards and isolation hospitals, more attention is required to decontaminate frequently touched surfaces in health-care facilities used by patients not diagnosed with COVID-19. Additionally, high-touch public surfaces such as ATMs require further disinfection procedures to limit the transmission of the infection.
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Diagnostics is crucial for a prompt identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients, their isolation and treatment. Real-time PCR is the reference method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, the unprecedented increase in the number of infections worldwide calls for faster and easy methods that do not require skilled personnel and special equipment. Rapid antigen tests have been developed and used as first line screening. ⋯ The level of agreement between the two tests was poor, k = 0.164. The Ag test performs well in the presence of high viral loads, whereas lower levels are missed. Considering the poor sensitivity of the method, real-time PCR remains the gold standard as front line screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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During the current COVID pandemic, there is growing interest to identify subsets of the population that may be at a higher than average risk of infection. One such group includes people living with HIV.
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Observational Study
Clinical features and antibody response of patients from a COVID-19 treatment hospital in Wuhan, China.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic. A total of 1578 patients admitted into a newly built hospital specialized for COVID-19 treatment in Wuhan, China, were enrolled. Clinical features and the levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG were analyzed. In total, 1532 patients (97.2%) were identified as laboratory-confirmed cases. Seventy-seven patients were identified as asymptomatic carriers (n = 64) or SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive before symptom onset (n = 13). ⋯ These patients had a higher proportion of critical illness during hospitalization (p < .001) and a longer hospital stay (p < .001) compared to patients with viral clearance after IgG detection. Coronary heart disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.89 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-3.24]; p = .020), and intensive care unit admission (OR, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.31-4.66]; p = .005) were independent risk factors associated with viral RNA shedding after IgG detection. Symptomatic patients produced more antibodies than asymptomatic patients. The patients who had SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding after developing IgG were more likely to be sicker patients.