[Detection of SARS-CoV RNA in stool samples of SARS patients by nest RT-PCR and its clinical value].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) convalescent stool shedding by RT-PCR.


METHODS
One hundred and three stool samples from 46 SARS patients were collected on May 16th, 20th, and 23rd, 2003. For each sample, RNA was extracted using commercial kit and 7 Nest RT-PCR using a 14-pair different SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) special primers were carried out simultaneously.


RESULTS
Among these 46 SARS patients, 17 cases (37.0%) were stool SARS-CoV RT-PCR negative, and 29 cases (63.0%) were SARS-CoV RT-PCR positive. The duration of positive cases lasted (31.76 +/- 10.78) d (12-64 d). The longest stool shedding case in this study lasted 64 days. Two serial stool samples and for each sample 2 RT-PCR tests using different primers were positive in this case.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study observed longest stool shedding of SARS patients to be 64 days after initial onset of SARS. The average stool shedding was 32 days. Hence it is important to think highly of SARS convalescent patient stool sterilization.
Ren
Yi
Y
Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital University of Medicine Science, Beijing 100054, China. renyi@staff.healthoo.com
Ding
Hui-guo
HG
Wu
Qing-fa
QF
Chen
Wei-jun
WJ
Chen
Dong
D
Bao
Zhi-ying
ZY
Yang
Ling
L
Zhao
Chun-hui
CH
Wang
Jian
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors
D012367:RNA, Viral