In China, confirmed the theory of a new method of infection with coronavirus

Chinese scientists first isolated the live SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, from the feces of a coronavirus-infected patient. By this they confirmed the theory of fecal-oral or fecal-respiratory transmission of infection.

It is believed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads through direct contact, fomites (this is the name of any objects or substances containing pathogenic microorganisms that come into contact with the risk of infection, for example, clothing, skin surface, hair, door handles, telephones, remotes and another), as well as using an airborne droplet, possibly drops of aerosol, which is formed by coughing, sneezing and talking.

Moreover, the virus RNA was found in the feces and urine of some patients. An infectious virus was also isolated from the urine of a patient with severe COVID-19. However, until recently it was unclear whether this could be an additional source for transmission.

The answer was found by researchers from China. In late January, they took a sample from a 78-year-old man with a coronavirus infection, who later died. It is noted that in his case, the virus was detected in stool samples, as well as in the epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the viral load was higher in feces than in respiratory samples collected at different points in time (17–28 days after the onset of symptoms).

After that, the researchers tried to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus from three patients with viral RNA. The results were successful in two cases, from which it was concluded that “an infectious virus in the feces is a common manifestation of COVID-19.”

The authors concluded that coronavirus infection can be infected by the “fecal-oral route” (if, for example, you do not wash your hands after using the toilet) or if aerosol particles get into the air. For example, during an outbreak of SARS in 2003, 329 residents of a private residential complex in Hong Kong were infected, 42 of whom died. The investigation showed that faulty sewer pipelines led to the aerosolization of waste products from infected people, which became the source of infection.

Therefore, the authors emphasize, appropriate precautions should be taken in hospitals.