Detection of the SARS‐CoV‐2 in different biologic specimens from positive patients with COVID‐19, in Northern Italy

Novazzi, Federica; Cassaniti, Irene; Piralla, Antonio; Di Sabatino, Antonio; Bruno, Raffaele; Baldanti, Fausto; Mondelli, M; Brunetti, E; Di Matteo, A; Seminari, E; Maiocchi, L; Zuccaro, V; Pagnucco, L; Mariani, B; Ludovisi, S; Lissandrin, R; Parisi, A; Sacchi, P; Patruno, SFA; Michelone, G; Gulminetti, R; Zanaboni, D; Novati, S; Maserati, R; Orsolini, P; Vecchia, M; Sciarra, M; Asperges, E; Colaneri, M; Di Filippo, A; Sambo, M; Biscarini, S; Lupi, M; Roda, S; Pieri, TC; Gallazzi, I; Sachs, M; Valsecchi, P; Perlini, S; Alfano, C; Bonzano, M; Briganti, F; Crescenzi, G; Falchi, AG; Guarnone, R; Guglielmana, B; Maggi, E; Martino, I; Pettenazza, P; Pioli di Marco, S; Quaglia, F; Sabena, A; Salinaro, F; Speciale, F; Zunino, I; De Lorenzo, M; Secco, G; Dimitry, L; Cappa, G; Maisak, I; Chiodi, B; Sciarrini, M; Barcella, B; Resta, F; Moroni, L; Vezzoni, G; Scattaglia, L; Boscolo, E; Zattera, C; Tassi, MF; Capozza, V; Vignaroli, D; Bazzini, M; Iotti, G; Mojoli, F; Belliato, M; Perotti, L; Mongodi, S; Tavazzi, G; Marseglia, G; Licari, A; Brambilla, I; Barbarini, D; Bruno, A; Cambieri, P; Campanini, G; Cavanna, C; Comolli, G; Corbella, M; Daturi, R; Furione, M; Mariani, B; Marone, P; Maserati, R; Monzillo, E; Paolucci, S; Parea, M; Percivalle, E; Rovida, F; Sarasini, A; Zavattoni, M; Adzasehoun, G; Ardizzone, M; Bellotti, L; Brunco, V; Cabano, E; Casali, G; Capella, L; Devitis, D; Dossena, L; Frisco, G; Garbagnoli, G; Gardellini, F; Girello, A; Guerrizio, A; Landini, V; Lucchelli, C; Maliardi, V; Piemontese, P; Pezzaia, S; Premoli, M; Rebuffa, C; Zanello, C; Bagnarino, J; Bergami, F; Bonetti, A; Caneva, G; Corcione, A; Di Martino, R; Di Napoli, A; Ferrari, A; Ferrari, G; Fiorina, L; Gallone, A; Giardina, F; Girardi, A; Mercato, A; Ratano, G; Rossi, B; Saveriaempillai, G; Sciabica, IM; Tallarita, M; Vecchio Nepita, E; Vitali, J; Cerino, A; Varchetta, S; Oliviero, B; Mantovani, S; Mele, D; Calvi, M; Tizzoni, M; Nicora, C; Triarico, A; Petronella, V; Marena, C; Muzzi, A; Lago, P; Cutti, S; Novelli, V; Comandatore, F; Batisti Biffignandi, G; Gaiarsa, S; Rettani, M; Bandi, C; Ferrari, A

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) diagnosis is based on molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in respiratory samples such as nasal swab (NS). However, the evidence that NS in patients with pneumonia was sometimes negative raises the attention to collect other clinical specimens. SARS‐CoV‐2 was shown in 10.3% rectal swabs (RS), 7.7% plasma, 1% urine, and 0% feces from 143 NS‐positive patients. Potential infection by fluids different from respiratory secretion is possible but unlikely.