The exact duration of viable SARS-CoV-2 shedding in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) remains unclear. Here, we retrospectively investigated this issue using cell cultures of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-positive nasopharyngeal samples (n = 40) obtained from 16 KTRs with symptomatic COVID-19 up to 39 days from symptom onset. A length of viable SARS-CoV-2 shedding >3 weeks from the onset of symptoms was identified in four KTRs (25%). These results suggest that a significant proportion of KTRs can shed viable SARS-CoV-2 for at least 3 weeks, which may favor the emergence of new variants. Based on these data, we recommend prolonging the isolation of KTRs with COVID-19 until negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing.
Keywords: clinical research/practice; complication: infectious; infection and infectious agents - viral; infectious disease; kidney transplantation/nephrology; translational research/science.
© 2021 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.