Prolonged Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in An Asymptomatic Individual in Thailand: A Case Study

Kewcharoenwong, C.; Khamduang, W.; Kwunchoo, S.; Chantawiang, K.; Pinta, P.; Promarat, S.; Punchaburi, B.; Pornprasert, S.

Clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in Thailand, but there is still no asymptomatic case with prolonged persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA has been described. Here, we report, for the first time, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from nasopharyngeal and throat swab specimens for at least 110 days in a 30-year-old Thai female with no clinical symptoms. The COVID-19 IgG antibody was also observed in her blood sample. However, her husband was negative for both SARS-CoV-2 RNA and IgM/IgG antibody, implying no transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to her husband throughout the 110 days. As far as we know, this is the very first asymptomatic case to show the longest prolonged persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from nasopharyngeal and throat swab specimens in Thailand. In most cases of COVID-19 infection, molecular monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 may be discontinued, and asymptomatic cases may be underestimated. Thus, the information in this report could be combined with additional data sources to raise public health awareness with regard to clinical management. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.