SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Characteristics and Viral Shedding in Kuwait

Objectives: We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and estimate viral shedding duration in respiratory specimens. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed from February 25 to March 25, 2020. In Kuwait, all suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, contacts of cases, and returning travelers were systematically tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. All infected persons, regardless of symptoms, were hospitalized and serially tested until they had two negative results. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed. Results: Two hundred seven cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. About half of the cases were asymptomatic and 1.9% died. The median time to negative RT-PCR was 22 days. Increasing age, ARDS, and low peripheral white blood cell count were associated with prolonged PCR positivity. Conclusion: Predictors for prolonged RT-PCR positivity included increasing age, ARDS, and low white blood cell count. The findings of this study may aid in better understanding of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and molecular testing dynamics.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Characteristics and Viral Shedding in Kuwait ; volume:31 ; number:1 ; year:2021 ; pages:93-97 ; extent:5 ; Medical principles and practice ; 31, Heft 1 (2021), 93-97 (gesamt 5)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Alghounaim, Mohammad ; Caya, Chelsea ; Alothman, Khalid ; Alhasawi, Almonther ; Papenburg, Jesse

Further information

• DOI: 10.1159/000521408
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022032323204704346316
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:24 AM CEST