Transmission Potential of Asymptomatic and Paucisymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections: A 3-Family Cluster Study in China. (22nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Xiao-Lin; Zhang, Xiao-Li; Zhao, Xiang-Na; Li, Cun-Bao; Lei, Jie; Kou, Zeng-Qiang; Sun, Wen-Kui; Hang, Yang; Gao, Feng; Ji, Sheng-Xiang; Lin, Can-Fang; Pang, Bo; Yao, Ming-Xiao; Anderson, Benjamin D; Wang, Guo-Lin; Yao, Lin; Duan, Li-Jun; Kang, Dian-Min; Ma, Mai-Juan
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 221:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1948
• Page End: 1952
• Publication Date: 2020-04-22
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-2019 -- asymptomatic -- paucisymptomatic -- transmission; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Data concerning the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic patients are lacking. We report a 3-family cluster of infections involving asymptomatic and paucisymptomatic transmission. Eight of 15 (53%) members from 3 families were confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 8 patients, 3 were asymptomatic and 1 was paucisymptomatic. An asymptomatic mother transmitted the virus to her son, and a paucisymptomatic father transmitted the virus to his 3-month-old daughter. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the environment of 1 household. The complete genomes of SARS-CoV-2 from the patients were > 99.9% identical and were clustered with other SARS-CoV-2 sequences reported from China and other countries. Abstract : We report a unique 3-family cluster of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by individuals with asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic infections likely occurred. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in contaminated environments of 1 household.