Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharyngeal and Stool Specimens of Children Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Single-Center Study in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Some studies have shown that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be isolated from human biological samples other than nasopharyngeal swabs. Fecal shedding of the virus can also be of great importance due to sewage contamination with this virus. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of using stool samples as a non-invasive method for detecting the virus. Objectives: This study aimed to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharyngeal swabs and stool specimens of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in hospitalized children. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab and stool samples were collected between March and September 2022 from suspected COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized at Mofid Children's Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The total RNA of the samples was extracted using a commercial kit, and multiplex real-time PCR was used for COVID-19 identification. The multiplex real-time PCR results showed that SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 18% of patients, while the results of their nasopharyngeal swabs were negative. Results: A total of 105 samples were enrolled in this study. Sixty percent and forty percent of them were related to females and males, respectively. The mean age of patients was 2.64 ± 3.44 years. The duration of hospitalization was 5.98 ± 7.95 days, and 3 (2.8%) mortality was observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, detecting SARS-CoV-2 in stool samples offers a valuable tool in the fight against the ongoing pandemic. Continued research and development in this area are crucial for improving diagnostic capabilities and understanding the dynamics of viral transmission in Iran.