Time to SARS-CoV-2 PCR Clearance in Immunocompromising Conditions: Is Test-Based Removal From Isolation Necessary in Severely Immunocompromised Individuals?

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 May 20;8(6):ofab164. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab164. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Abstract

To determine the association between immunosuppression and time to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clearance, we studied 3758 adults retested following initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cox proportional hazards models demonstrated delayed PCR clearance with older age, multiple comorbidities, and solid organ transplant but not by degree of immunocompromise. These findings challenge current retesting practices.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); disease severity; immunocompromised host; immunosuppression; polymerase chain reaction; virus shedding.