Pilot Study: Long-Term Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Urine: A Threat for Dispersal in Wastewater

Andreina Baj; Lorenzo Azzi; Daniela Dalla Gasperina; Angelo Genoni; Antonio Tamborini; Cinzia Gambarini; Giulio Carcano; Paolo Grossi; Fausto Sessa

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.569209

Pilot Study: Long-Term Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Urine: A Threat for Dispersal in Wastewater

Front Public Health. 2020 Nov 23:8:569209. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.569209. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Andreina Baj¹, Lorenzo Azzi², Daniela Dalla Gasperina³, Angelo Genoni¹, Antonio Tamborini¹, Cinzia Gambarini⁴, Giulio Carcano⁵, Paolo Grossi³, Fausto Sessa⁶

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
² Unit of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
³ Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
⁴ S.C. Pneumology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy.
⁵ Unit of General Emergency and Transplant Surgery, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) dei Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
⁶ Pathology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Sette Laghi, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

Abstract

Only 4 months after the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, the world is facing a global pandemic due to a complex and insidious virus that today constantly poses new challenges. In this study, we highlight a persistent shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA into the urine, even in patients with a negative nasopharyngeal swab and in patients considered recovered. What does it mean? Besides the fact that the kidney is a probable site of viral replication, the prolonged viral excretion is a matter of great concern for our drainage system contamination.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS CoV-2; shedding; urine; wastewater.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
COVID-19 / transmission*
COVID-19 / urine*
Female
Humans
Italy
Male
Middle Aged
Pandemics
Pilot Projects
Risk Factors
SARS-CoV-2*
Urine / virology*
Virus Shedding*
Wastewater / virology*

Substances

Waste Water