© Emerging Microbes Infections ISSN:(Print)2222-1751(Online)lournal homepage:https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/temi20 Molecular and serological investigation of 2019. nCoV infected patients:implication of multiple shedding routes Hui D To link to this article:https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071 0ormView supplementary materlal CuCommunoyn 单 Published onine:17 3 Submit your article to this journal Article views:37363 a View related articles hepsy/hwwlgon8rSocom9ci8iA6Cemiani6e6eneeonsCaie-tem2o
Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=temi20 Emerging Microbes & Infections ISSN: (Print) 2222-1751 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/temi20 Molecular and serological investigation of 2019- nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes Wei Zhang, Rong-Hui Du, Bei Li, Xiao-Shuang Zheng, Xing-Lou Yang, Ben Hu, Yan-Yi Wang, Geng-Fu Xiao, Bing Yan, Zheng-Li Shi & Peng Zhou To cite this article: Wei Zhang, Rong-Hui Du, Bei Li, Xiao-Shuang Zheng, Xing-Lou Yang, Ben Hu, Yan-Yi Wang, Geng-Fu Xiao, Bing Yan, Zheng-Li Shi & Peng Zhou (2020) Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes, Emerging Microbes & Infections, 9:1, 386-389, DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071 © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, on behalf of Shanghai Shangyixun Cultural Communication Co., Ltd View supplementary material Published online: 17 Feb 2020. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 37363 View related articles View Crossmark data
i.org/10.1080/2221751.2020.1729071 ®EMi Taylor&Franc OPEN ACCESS Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes ABSTRACT ad to aseotedth e by r2019 in a latece of e of infection gmtedthrd hafecalTout9 We als can im iology.Our repo ARTICLE HISTORY Received 4 February 2020:Revised 6 February 2020:Accepted 7 February 2020 KEYWORDS 2019-nCoV:Whanm Introduction methods using a cross Coronaviruses(CoVs)belong to the subfamily Ortho psid protein (NP)from another SARSr-CoV Rp3 [6],which is orderN lto 2019-nCov NP.Using these serologi coronaviru S-CoV y titres increas Like SARS CoV 2019-nCov induced SARS related cov was imnlicated as the agent responsible for the outbreak in Wuhan,central through respiratory tract by clinical observation d to have started on Therefore,the presence of swab d as dete for 20 19-1 20200n arly,tw e ive in vellers from Wuhan [1].Typical symptoms are fever Here we launched an investigation of 2019-nCoV in a Wuhan hospital,aiming to investigate the other poss- ible transmission route of this virus identified the etiological Materials and methods 2019-nCov (virus name Health Organization).The newly identified virus is Sample collection anSARS-related virus (SARS -Cov)bu sh res only Human samples,including oral swabs,anal swabs and 2 de ere collectec by Wuhan pulmonar .Our previous studies indicate that aPCR method can be used for the detection of 2019-ncov in ora hospital for eme infectious diseases two investi. swabs or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)[5]. can be accessed http //10,1080/22221751.2020.172907
Molecular and serological investigation of 2019-nCoV infected patients: implication of multiple shedding routes Wei Zhanga *, Rong-Hui Dub *, Bei Lia , Xiao-Shuang Zhenga , Xing-Lou Yanga , Ben Hua , Yan-Yi Wanga , Geng-Fu Xiaoa , Bing Yana , Zheng-Li Shi a and Peng Zhou a a CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; b Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China ABSTRACT In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) caused an outbreak in Wuhan, China, and soon spread to other parts of the world. It was believed that 2019-nCoV was transmitted through respiratory tract and then induced pneumonia, thus molecular diagnosis based on oral swabs was used for confirmation of this disease. Likewise, patient will be released upon two times of negative detection from oral swabs. However, many coronaviruses can also be transmitted through oral– fecal route by infecting intestines. Whether 2019-nCoV infected patients also carry virus in other organs like intestine need to be tested. We conducted investigation on patients in a local hospital who were infected with this virus. We found the presence of 2019-nCoV in anal swabs and blood as well, and more anal swab positives than oral swab positives in a later stage of infection, suggesting shedding and thereby transmitted through oral–fecal route. We also showed serology test can improve detection positive rate thus should be used in future epidemiology. Our report provides a cautionary warning that 2019-nCoV may be shed through multiple routes. ARTICLE HISTORY Received 4 February 2020; Revised 6 February 2020; Accepted 7 February 2020 KEYWORDS 2019-nCoV; Wuhan pneumonia; epidemiology; swabs; intestine Introduction Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae and the order Nidovirales. A human coronavirus (SARS-CoV) caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS) outbreak in 2003. Most recently, an SARS-related CoV was implicated as the etiological agent responsible for the outbreak in Wuhan, central China. This outbreak is estimated to have started on 12th December 2019 and 17,332 laboratory confirmed cases with 361 deaths as of 3rd February 2020 in China [1]. The virus has spread to 23 other countries by travellers from Wuhan [1]. Typical symptoms are fever, malaise, shortness of breath and in severe cases, pneumonia [2–4]. The disease was first called unidentified viral pneumonia. We quickly identified the etiological agent, termed 2019-nCoV (virus name designated by the World Health Organization). The newly identified virus is an SARS-related virus (SARSr-CoV) but shares only 74.5% genome identity to SARS-CoV [2]. We developed molecular detection tools based on viral spike genes. Our previous studies indicate that qPCR method can be used for the detection of 2019-nCoV in oral swabs or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) [5]. Additionally, we developed IgM and IgG detection methods using a cross-reactive nucleocapsid protein (NP) from another SARSr-CoV Rp3 [6], which is 92% identical to 2019-nCoV NP. Using these serological tools, we demonstrate viral antibody titres increase in patients infected with 2019-nCoV [5]. Like SARS-CoV, 2019-nCoV induced pneumonia through respiratory tract by clinical observation. Therefore, the presence of viral antigen in oral swabs was used as detection standard for 2019-nCoV. Similarly, two times of oral swabs negative in a 24-h interval was considered as viral clearance by patients officially. Here we launched an investigation of 2019-nCoV in a Wuhan hospital, aiming to investigate the other possible transmission route of this virus. Materials and methods Sample collection Human samples, including oral swabs, anal swabs and blood samples were collected by Wuhan pulmonary hospital with the consent from all patients and approved by the ethics committee of the designated hospital for emerging infectious diseases. Two investigations were performed. In the first investigation, we © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, on behalf of Shanghai Shangyixun Cultural Communication Co., Ltd This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. CONTACT Zheng-Li Shi zlshi@wh.iov.cn; Peng Zhou peng.zhou@wh.iov.cn *These authors contributed equally. Supplemental data for this article can be accessed https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071 Emerging Microbes & Infections 2020, VOL. 9 https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2020.1729071
EMERGING MICROBES AND INFECTIONS 387 collected samples from 39 patients,7 of which were in Results severe condit ions.In the second investigation,we co lected sample In the first ir in ana s wen a who were viral nucleotide detection positive Patients nts in Wuhan pulmonary hospital.who wer detected as oral swabs positive for 2019-nCoV upor medium wasadd d in tube admission.We collected blood,oral swabs and ana 2019-n qPCR test using previously vortex ar buffer for rna extraction serum was separated by s who still ca centrifugation at 000g for 15 min within 24h of co days of medical treatments.Of these patients,8 were lection,followed by 56C30 min inactivation,and then oral swabs positive(53.%),4 were anal swabs positive stored at 4C until use (%),6 blood positives(%and3s h oral swa RNA extraction and qRT-PCR also swabs positive.Not surp y all serum posi tives were also whole serum positive(Table 1).In sum mary,viral nucleotide can be found in anal swab o ruction wer out 、2 oral swab Hih Pure Viral RNA Kit (Roche).RNA was eluted wabs may be negativ in 50 ul of elution buffer and used as the template for We then did another investigation to find out the RT-PCR.QPCR detection method based on 2019 dynamic changes of viral presence in two consecutive nd ir the previo s st RT-PCR e Biotech Co Itd)The 20 PCR reaction We tested for both viral an cleotide mix contained 10 ul 2x One Step SYBR Green Mix,1 levels by previously established method [5].We showed that both IgM and IgG titres were relativel each prim undetectable in day 0(th day of first mpling 50C for 3 min 95℃for30s all pa hich 40 cycles consisting of 95C for 10 s.60C for 30 transition from earlier to later neriod of infectio and a default melting curve step in an ABI 7500 (Figure 1 and supplementary table 1).IgM positive machine. rate incre om509 (8/16)to81% 1316 his ow dete In-house anti-SARSr-CoV IgG and IgM ELISA kits were dey eloped SARS-CoVp detection of 2019-nCov ir test Maxiso om oral nal aPC were coated(100 ng/well)overnight with recombinant AS Whole bloo Serum iseas An IgG-HR 303 4好 of140.000.The 303 32.1 value (450-630)was calculated.For IgM test,Maxi- 30.6 No Sorp Nunc-immuno 96 wellELISA were coate d(500 ng/well)overnight with anti-huma n IgM 30g ted (Kyab Biotech Co Ltd,Wuh at a dilution of 1:4000.The OD value(450-630)was 323 6 calculated
collected samples from 39 patients, 7 of which were in severe conditions. In the second investigation, we collected samples from 139 patients, yet their clinical records were not available. We only showed patients who were viral nucleotide detection positive. Patients were sampled without gender or age preference unless where indicated. For swabs, 1.5 ml DMEM+2% FBS medium was added in each tube. Supernatant was collected after 2500 rpm, 60 s vortex and 15–30 min standing. Supernatant from swabs were added to lysis buffer for RNA extraction. Serum was separated by centrifugation at 3000 g for 15 min within 24 h of collection, followed by 56°C 30 min inactivation, and then stored at 4°C until use. RNA extraction and qRT-PCR Whenever commercial kits were used, manufacturer’s instructions were followed without modification. RNA was extracted from 200 μl of samples with the High Pure Viral RNA Kit (Roche). RNA was eluted in 50 μl of elution buffer and used as the template for RT–PCR. QPCR detection method based on 2019- nCoV S gene can be found in the previous study [5]. In brief, RNA extracted from above used in qPCR by HiScript® II One Step qRT-PCR SYBR® Green Kit (Vazyme Biotech Co., Ltd). The 20 μl qPCR reaction mix contained 10 μl 2× One Step SYBR Green Mix, 1 μl One Step SYBR Green Enzyme Mix, 0.4 μl 50 × ROX Reference Dye 1, 0.4 μl of each primer (10 μM) and 2 μl template RNA. Amplification was performed as follows: 50°C for 3 min, 95°C for 30 s followed by 40 cycles consisting of 95°C for 10 s, 60°C for 30 s, and a default melting curve step in an ABI 7500 machine. Serological test In-house anti-SARSr-CoV IgG and IgM ELISA kits were developed using SARSr-CoV Rp3 NP as antigen, which shared above 90% amino acid identity to all SARSr-CoVs, as reported previously [5]. For IgG test, MaxiSorp Nunc-immuno 96 well ELISA plates were coated (100 ng/well) overnight with recombinant NP. Human sera were used at 1:20 dilution for 1 h at 37°C. An anti-Human IgG-HRP conjugated monoclonal antibody (Kyab Biotech Co., Ltd, Wuhan, China) was used at a dilution of 1:40,000. The OD value (450–630) was calculated. For IgM test, MaxiSorp Nunc-immuno 96 wellELISA plates were coated (500 ng/well) overnight with anti-human IgM (µ chain). Human sera were used at 1:100 dilution for 40 min at 37°C, followed by anti-Rp3 NP-HRP conjugated (Kyab Biotech Co., Ltd, Wuhan, China) at a dilution of 1:4000. The OD value (450–630) was calculated. Results In the first investigation, we aimed to test whether viral positive can be found in anal swab and blood as well as oral swabs. We conducted a molecular investigation to patients in Wuhan pulmonary hospital, who were detected as oral swabs positive for 2019-nCoV upon admission. We collected blood, oral swabs and anal swabs for 2019-nCoV qPCR test using previously established method [5]. We found 15 patients who still carry virus following days of medical treatments. Of these patients, 8 were oral swabs positive (53.3%), 4 were anal swabs positive (26.7%), 6 blood positives (40%) and 3 serum positives (20%). Two patients were positive by both oral swab and anal swab, yet none of the blood positive was also swabs positive. Not surprisingly, all serum positives were also whole serum positive (Table 1). In summary, viral nucleotide can be found in anal swab or blood even if it cannot be detected in oral swabs. It should be noted that although swabs may be negative, the patient might still be viremic. We then did another investigation to find out the dynamic changes of viral presence in two consecutive studies in both oral and anal swabs in another group of patients. The target patients were those who received around 10 days of medical treatments upon admission. We tested for both viral antibody and viral nucleotide levels by previously established method [5]. We showed that both IgM and IgG titres were relatively low or undetectable in day 0 (the day of first sampling). On day 5, an increase of viral antibodies can be seen in nearly all patients, which was normally considered as a transition from earlier to later period of infection (Figure 1 and supplementary table 1). IgM positive rate increased from 50% (8/16) to 81% (13/16), whereas IgG positive rate increased from 81% (13/16) to 100% (16/16). This is in contrast to a relatively low detection positive rate from molecular test (below). Table 1. Molecular detection of 2019-nCoV in swabs and blood. Samples were from oral swabs (OS), anal swabs (AS) and blood. Data were shown as qPCR Ct values. Patients in severe condition during investigation were shown. OS AS Whole blood Serum Severe disease Patient 1 33.5 No Patient 2 30.3 24.3 Yes Patient 3 30.3 No Patient 4 32.1 No Patient 5 33.1 No Patient 6 30.6 No Patient 7 32.7 30.2 No Patient 8 33.1 No Patient 9 31.4 34.5 No Patient 10 30.9 33.0 Yes Patient 11 27.3 No Patient 12 34.4 Yes Patient 13 32.9 33.6 No Patient 14 32.3 No Patient 15 31.6 No EMERGING MICROBES AND INFECTIONS 387
388©W.ZHANG ET AL 3.00 IgM-D5 20 .Dashed ine which as determined able 2.M (AS)and blood.Data were shown as PCR Ct values. or ntially shed this th Date 0-05 Date 0-AS Dat 303 we successfully applied serology test a large population and showed which could greatly improved detectior 327 ent 300 31A y that the c rent strategy for the detection atient 20 of viral RNA in oral swabs used for 2019-nCoV diagno 3.6 sis is not perfect.The virus may be present in anal 238 negative. MERS 2 of infection -9 However.patients infected with 338 269 2019-nCoV may harbour the virus in the intestine at the early or late stage of disease.It is also worth to note no of the patients with nia blood had pos For molecular detection.we found 8 oral swab positive (50%)and 4 anal swabs (25%)in these 16 people on day 0.On day 5,we were only able to find thus posea threat toother people In. 4 oral s vabs positive (25%).In contras we ound e viral antibodies in near all patients,indicating serology hal swa 57. ing all swa should be considered for 2019-nCoV epidemiology.A me fron swab (/10.80%)on day shi from oral this trend appears to change on day 5.We found d Thi lied that more (6/8, 75%)anal swab positive than oral swab charge a patient purely based on oral swabs negative positive(4/8,50%).Another e reoccur who may still shed the virus by oral-fecal route ofthese 6 ere d cted r Above all,we anal swabs (Table 2).These data sug ested a shift from al tes more oral positive during early period(as indicated by In summary,we provide a cautionary warning that antibody titres)to more anal positive during later 2019-nCov may be transmitted through multipl period might happen routes Both molecular and serological tests are needed to definitively confrm a virus carrier Discussion Acknowledgements tion tools.Thisis the first molecular and serological We thank Dr.Danielle Anderson of Duke-NUS Medica study on this virus after the initial identification of 2019-NCov from 7 patients diagnosed with Virology
For molecular detection, we found 8 oral swabs positive (50%) and 4 anal swabs (25%) in these 16 people on day 0. On day 5, we were only able to find 4 oral swabs positive (25%). In contrast, we found 6 anal swabs positive (37.5%). When counting all swab positives together, we found most of the positives came from oral swab (8/10, 80%) on day 0. However, this trend appears to change on day 5. We found more (6/8, 75%) anal swab positive than oral swab positive (4/8, 50%). Another observation is the reoccurrence of virus in 6 patients who were detected negative on day 0. Of note, 4 of these 6 viral positives were from anal swabs (Table 2). These data suggested a shift from more oral positive during early period (as indicated by antibody titres) to more anal positive during later period might happen. Discussion Within 1 month of the 2019-nCoV disease outbreak, we rapidly developed molecular and serological detection tools. This is the first molecular and serological study on this virus after the initial identification of 2019-NCoV from 7 patients diagnosed with unidentified viral pneumonia [5]. We detected the virus in oral swabs, anal swabs and blood, thus infected patients can potentially shed this pathogen through respiratory, fecal–oral or body fluid routes. In addition, we successfully applied serology test a large population and showed which could greatly improved detection positive rate. We show that the current strategy for the detection of viral RNA in oral swabs used for 2019-nCoV diagnosis is not perfect. The virus may be present in anal swabs or blood of patients when oral swabs detection negative. In SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infected patients, intestinal infection was observed at later stages of infection [7–9]. However, patients infected with 2019-nCoV may harbour the virus in the intestine at the early or late stage of disease. It is also worth to note none of the patients with viremia blood had positive swabs. These patients would likely be considered as 2019-nCoV negative through routine surveillance, and thus pose a threat to other people. In contrast, we found viral antibodies in near all patients, indicating serology should be considered for 2019-nCoV epidemiology. A possible shift from oral positive during early infection to anal swab positive during late infection can be observed. This observation implied that we cannot discharge a patient purely based on oral swabs negative, who may still shed the virus by oral–fecal route. Above all, we strongly suggest using viral IgM and IgG serological test to confirm an infection, considering the unreliable results from oral swabs detection. In summary, we provide a cautionary warning that 2019-nCoV may be transmitted through multiple routes. Both molecular and serological tests are needed to definitively confirm a virus carrier. Acknowledgements We thank Dr. Danielle Anderson of Duke-NUS Medical School for critical review of this report. We thank National Virus Resource Center (NCRC) in Wuhan Institute of Virology. Figure 1. Serological detection of 2019-nCoV. Dashed line indicates cutoff, which was determined based on data from healthy controls. Table 2. Molecular detection of 2019-nCoV in swabs from two investigations. Samples were from oral swabs (OS), anal swabs (AS) and blood. Data were shown as qPCR Ct values. Date 0-OS Date 0-AS Date 5-OS Date 5-AS Patient 1 23.2 Patient 2 30.3 Patient 3 19.5 Patient 4 32.7 30.2 Patient 5 33.1 Patient 6 31.1 30.0 31.4 Patient 7 27.3 Patient 8 27.0 Patient 9 32.9 33.6 Patient 10 23.8 Patient 11 31.9 Patient 12 32.3 Patient 13 17.8 Patient 14 25.5 Patient 15 30.0 Patient 16 33.8 26.9 27.5 388 W. ZHANG ET AL
EMERGING MICROBES AND INFECTIONS 389 Disclosure statement Lanct2020. Funding jointly na poti bat 20183310 107 ORCID ted et of fatal Gastroenterol.2005:10 1169- References 03(2).6 [1]W.H.Organization.WHO Press Sta ment Related to tal Ru Clinical features of el coronavirus ir
Disclosure statement No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). Funding This work was jointly supported by the Mega-Project for Infectious Disease from Minister of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (2018ZX10305409-004- 001 to PZ), China Natural Science Foundation for excellent scholars (81822028 to PZ), Strategic Priority Research Program of the CAS (XDB29010101 to ZLS and XDB29010104 to PZ), Youth innovation promotion association of CAS (2019328 to XLY). ORCID Zheng-Li Shi http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8089-163X Peng Zhou http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9863-4201 References [1] W. H. Organization. WHO Press Statement Related to the Novel Coronavirus Situation, 2019). [2] Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet. 2020. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736 (20)30183-5. [3] Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, et al. A novel coronavirus from patients with pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med. 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2001017. [4] Li Q, Guan X, Wu P, et al. Early transmission dynamics in Wuhan, China, of novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2020. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa 2001316. [5] Zhou P, Yang XL, Wang XG, et al. Discovery of a novel coronavirus associated with the recent pneumonia outbreak in humans and its potential bat origin. BioRxiv. 2020. [6] Wang N, Li SY, Yang XL, et al. Serological evidence of bat SARS-related coronavirus infection in humans, China. Virol Sin. 2018;33:104–107. [7] Shi X, Gong E, Gao D, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus is detected in intestinal tissues of fatal cases. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100 (1):169–176. [8] Ding Y, He L, Zhang Q, et al. Organ distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in SARS patients: implications for pathogenesis and virus transmission pathways. J Pathol. 2004;203(2):622–630. [9] Zhou J, Li C, Zhao G, et al. Human intestinal tract serves as an alternative infection route for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Sci Adv. 2017;3(11): eaao4966. doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao4966. EMERGING MICROBES AND INFECTIONS 389