Recurrent and More Severe COVID-19 Infection: Two Elderly Case Reports

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, despite limitations in sensitivity.
• Clinical improvement, radiological resolution, and negative RT-PCR results guide patient discharge decisions.
• Recurrent infections pose challenges in managing coronavirus disease 2019.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two cases of recurrent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after initial recovery and discharge.
• To discuss the management and treatment of these recurrent COVID-19 cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of two hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
• Analysis of clinical presentation, treatment course, and RT-PCR results before and after discharge.

Main Results:

• Two patients initially discharged with resolved symptoms and negative RT-PCR results presented with recurrent COVID-19 symptoms.
• Both patients tested positive for COVID-19 upon readmission, indicating potential reinfection or prolonged viral shedding.

Conclusions:

• Negative RT-PCR results at discharge do not always preclude recurrent coronavirus disease 2019.
• Further investigation into recurrent COVID-19 and optimized discharge criteria is warranted.