Isolation of SARs-CoV-2 from stool specimen of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Isolation of SARs-CoV-2 from a stool specimen of a confirmed case of COVID-19. Jefferson T, Heneghan C.
https://www.cebm.net/study/isolation-of-sars-cov-2-from-a-stool-specimen-of-confirmed-case-of-covid-19/
Published on July 15, 2020
Included in
Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19
Reference |
Zhang Y, Cao C, Shuangli Z et al. Isolation of 2019-nCoV from a Stool Specimen of a Laboratory-Confirmed Case of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). China CDC Weekly. 2020;2(8):123-4. |
Study type |
|
Country |
China |
Setting |
Unclear |
Funding Details |
National Key Technology R&D Programs of China |
Transmission mode |
Orofecal |
Exposures |
|
Bottom Line
Live virus has been isolated from the stools of one severe pneumonia case, pointing to a possible oro-fecal spread.
Evidence Summary
Live virus in the stools of a Covid-19 patient may mean that in addition to close contact and contact with respiratory secretions of patients, the virus can also be transmitted through the potential fecal-oral route. Potentially this may mean that stool samples may contaminate hands, food and waterÂ
What did they do?
Report of an isolation from a stool specimen of a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 severe pneumonia case. The onset was 16th January 2020; the sample was taken on 1st February 2020 (15 day interval).
Study reliability
A single finding needs replication. Unclear and sparse clinical details.
Clearly defined setting |
Demographic characteristics described |
Follow-up length was sufficient |
Transmission outcomes assessed |
Main biases are taken into consideration |
Unclear |
No |
Yes |
Yes
|
No |
What else should I consider?
This is a case report which needs confirmation.
About the authors
Carl Heneghan
Carl is Professor of EBM & Director of CEBM at the University of Oxford. He is also a GP and tweets @carlheneghan. He has an active interest in discovering the truth behind health research findings
Tom Jefferson
Tom Jefferson, epidemiologist.