Persistence of SARS-COV-2 in body fluids: a bystander or whistle blower

Abstract

The novel Coronavirus COVID-19 is wrecking a havoc across the globe and has been declared as a pandemic by WHO. Apart from transmission and shedding of the virus through respiratory secretions in the form of droplets (mainly), several studies have shown the presence of the virus in various samples such as stool, urine and occasionally in blood, semen, tears and breastmilk. Whereas government authority guidelines consider a person as cured from COVID-19 when along with clinical improvement no more virus can be detected primarily on respiratory samples along with clinical improvement; the persistence of the virus in these body fluids even after clinical recovery and negative RT-PCR test results on respiratory samples, has raised many questions about the elusive nature of this novel virus along with the possibility of other routes of transmission of this virus in the community. Although studies performed till now across the globe on persistence of SARSCOV-2 in various body fluids are sparse, in this review we would like to present and analyse the results of those studies performed globally on the aforesaid topic to get a better insight of this side of the COVID-19 story.

Risk of transfusion‐transmitted infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from blood donors in Japan

“…blood. 15 Our study showed that vRNA was detected in the peripheral blood in a small proportion of BDs who considered themselves healthy without symptoms, as reported by several blood establishments in other countries. 8,9 We also found that all blood samples obtained from the three recipients who were transfused with vRNA-positive blood components showed no apparent evidence of TTI.…”

“…SARS‐CoV‐2 is shed into the upper respiratory tract even before an infected person develops the symptoms 14 . In some infected persons, vRNA has been detected in various body fluids, including urine, tears, breast milk, and blood 15 . Our study showed that vRNA was detected in the peripheral blood in a small proportion of BDs who considered themselves healthy without symptoms, as reported by several blood establishments in other countries 8,9 .…”

Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Semen and Reproductive Function of Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Male Patients with a High Viral Load

“…Similarly, viral RNA has been detected in stool and sputum samples for up to 3 weeks after clinical recovery. This extended shedding pattern is also observed in semen (15,16). Despite extensive research on COVID-19, several key questions remain regarding the virus's mechanisms, including its potential presence in semen, sexual transmission, and its impact on male fertility and semen quality (14).…”

Adesão às normas de biossegurança para Covid-19 entre profissionais de saúde bucal em Ponta Grossa-PR

“…Destaca-se o risco aumentado da Covid-19 entre profissionais de odontologia, seja em nível superior, Cirurgiões-Dentistas (CD), ou técnica, Auxiliares em Saúde Bucal (ASB) e Técnicos em Saúde Bucal (TSB), devido à prática profissional em proximidade entre usuário-profissional, nas vias aéreas superiores, via principal de contaminação pelo Sars-CoV-2, e realização de procedimentos com ampla dispersão de aerossóis, oriunda das canetas de alta e de baixa rotação, ultrassom e da seringa tríplice 6 . Além disso, os profissionais estão expostos à saliva, a sangue e a outros fluidos corporais potencialmente contaminados 7 .…”

“…Para adequação dos protocolos mais rígidos de biossegurança durante a pandemia, nos consultórios odontológicos públicos e privados, houve necessidade de mudanças organizacionais no processo de trabalho dos profissionais, como também para os usuários 7 . Para isso, o conhecimento das normas e o treinamento adequado dos trabalhadores no contexto de escassez de tempo e de recursos são essenciais 14- 16 .…”