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Published on: December 19, 2020
SARS-CoV-2 Is Present in Peritoneal Fluid in COVID-19 Patients
Federico Coccolini1, Dario Tartaglia1, Adolfo Puglisi1
1General, Emergency and Trauma Surgery dept., Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
Background:
The excretion pathomechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 are actually unknown. No certain data exist about viral load in the different body compartments and fluids during the different disease phases.
Material And Methods:
Specific real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction targeting 3 SARS-CoV-e genes were used to detect the presence of the virus.
Results:
SARS-CoV-2 was detected in peritoneal fluid at a higher concentration than in respiratory tract.
Conclusion:
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in peritoneal fluid has never been reported. The present article represents the very first positive result describing the presence of the virus in peritoneal fluid during an emergency surgical procedure in a COVID-19 sick patient. This article thus represents a warning for increasing the level of awareness and protection for surgeon especially in emergency surgical setting.
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