SARS-CoV-2 RNA may rarely be present in a uterine cervix LBC sample at the asymptomatic early stage of COVID 19 disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Currently, it is thought that uterine cervix mucosal samples present a low risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. So far, there is no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 detection in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Nevertheless, clinicians could be exposed unaware to the coronavirus while performing and handling a Pap smear. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cervical liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples in women who tested positive for a nasopharyngeal COVID-19 PCR test.

Methods

From our laboratory database, we identified patients with data on a cervical cancer screening LBC sample paired with a positive nasopharyngeal COVID-19 PCR test. Relevant LBC samples taken within an incubation period of 14 days and post-onset RNA shedding interval of 25 days were su

SUBMITTER: Ondic O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8237001 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature