Dynamic change process of target genes by RT-PCR testing of SARS-Cov-2 during the course of a Coronavirus Disease 2019 patient

Abstract

We report the dynamic change process of target genes by RT-PCR testing of SARS-Cov-2 during the course of a COVID-19 patient: from successive negative results to successive single positive nucleocapsid gene, to two positive target genes (orf1ab and nucleocapsid) by RT-PCR testing of SARS-Cov-2, and describe the diagnosis, clinical course, and management of the case. In this case, negative results of RT-PCR testing was not excluded to diagnose a suspected COVID-19 patient, clinical signs and symptoms, other laboratory findings, and chest CT images should be taken into account for the absence of enough positive evidence. This case highlights the importance of successive sampling and testing SARS-Cov-2 by RT-PCR as well as the increased value of single positive target gene from pending to positive in two specimens to diagnose laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Nucleocapsid; RT-PCR testing; SARS-Cov-2.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. We obtained the approval letter of Ningbo First Hospital Ethics Committee (Approval No. 2020-R037).

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1

RT-PCR amplification curve of positive target genes of SARS-Cov-2, Ct values of positive target of nucleocapsid gene on day 9 (1a), day 10 (1b), day 16 (1c); Ct values of positive target of orf1ab gene (1d) on day 16.