Compelling evidence of viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stool and laboratory safety suggestion for stool examination amid COVID-19 era
Keywords:
COVID-19, disinfection, fecal viral shedding, SARS-CoV-2, stool exam, stool specimen, viral sheddingAbstract
COVID-19 pandemic unfolds in December of 2019 as a number of unknown pneumonia cases arose in Wuhan, China. Patients who contracted the disease usually have respiratory symptoms such as cough and dyspnea. With no established treatment and vaccines, the rise in the number of infections has been unrelenting. SARS-CoV-2 transmits via droplets and aerosols. However, evidence has shown that they are infectious through stools as well. There are increasing numbers of reports of virus particles in feces as well as systematic reviews and meta-analysis to identify the extent of viral fecal excretion. The findings posed a very serious threat upon laboratory technicians who perform routine stool examination. In this review, our topics cover the natural history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and gastrointestinal tract, viral shedding in stool, virus survival in the environment, and disinfection for SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples, and laboratory safety suggestion for stool examination in post-COVID-19 outbreak.
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