Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Genome for over 100 Days after COVID-19 Onset

Keiko Goto; Kenichi Komatsu; Tsuyoshi Sekizuka; Hiromi Ebisawa; Miki Ootake; Megumi Honda; Noriko Nagata; Daisuke Yoshida; Toshikazu Yanaoka; Hirokazu Kimura; Makoto Kuroda

doi:10.7883/yoken.JJID.2021.841

Short Communications

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Genome for over 100 Days after COVID-19 Onset

Keiko Goto, Kenichi Komatsu, Tsuyoshi Sekizuka, Hiromi Ebisawa, Miki Ootake, Megumi Honda, Noriko Nagata, Daisuke Yoshida, Toshikazu Yanaoka, Hirokazu Kimura, Makoto Kuroda

Author information

Keiko Goto
Department of Virology, Ibaraki Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan
Kenichi Komatsu
Department of Internal Medicine, Ibaraki Western Medical Center, Japan
Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
Hiromi Ebisawa
Department of Internal Medicine, Ibaraki Western Medical Center, Japan
Miki Ootake
Chikusei Public Health Office, Japan
Megumi Honda
Chikusei Public Health Office, Japan
Noriko Nagata
Department of Virology, Ibaraki Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan
Daisuke Yoshida
Department of Virology, Ibaraki Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan
Toshikazu Yanaoka
Department of Virology, Ibaraki Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan
Hirokazu Kimura
Department of Health Science, Gunma Paz University Graduate School, Japan
Makoto Kuroda
Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, long-term detection, PCR, whole genome sequencing, B.1.1.7 lineage

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2022 Volume 75 Issue 6 Pages 620-622

DOI https://doi.org/10.7883/yoken.JJID.2021.841

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Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is spreading globally. Generally, the viral genome becomes undetectable within a couple of weeks after infection. Herein, we report a case of long-term detection of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in the same individual for 106 days. Whole genome sequencing was performed on specimens taken at the onset of the disease and 2 months after onset, and the B.1.1.7 lineage was detected in both samples. A comparison of the full-length sequences revealed a single-base difference and no amino acid mutations. This is the first case in Japan where the virus was detected over a long period, and the full-length sequences were compared.

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