Comparison of 2019-nCoV test results of sputum and fecal specimens of 15 patients with COVID-19 after treatment

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of fecal specimens for screening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) suspected or confirmed patients. Methods Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2) ORF1ab, N gene and human cell housekeeping gene ribonuclease P (RNase P) in sputum and faecal specimens of 15 patients with COVID-19 after treatment were detected by real time RT-PCR, positive rates of sputum and faecal specimens were compared. Results Among sputum and faecal specimens of 15 patients, human cell housekeeper gene RNase P all showed typical and obvious amplification signal curve. Two patients were both positive for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test of sputum and faecal specimens, while 4 patients were only sputum or fecal specimens positive respectively; among sputum positive specimens of 6 patients, only 2 were amplified ORF 1ab gene and N gene simultaneously, among fecal positive specimens of 6 patients, only 4 were all amplified ORF 1ab gene and N gene simultaneously. Conclusion Negative detection result of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test of respiratory tract specimens as criterion for excluding and curing COVID-19 should be prudent, negative detection result of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test for fecal specimens can be considered.