A Confirmed Case of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia With Negative Routine Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Virus Variation in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia is a newly recognized disease, and its diagnosis is primarily confirmed by routine reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: However, we report a confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with a negative routine RT-PCR.

Results: This case was finally diagnosed by nanopore sequencing combined with antibody of SARS-CoV-2. Simultaneously, the ORF and NP gene variations of SARS-CoV-2 were found.

Conclusions: This case highlighted that false-negative results could be present in routine RT-PCR diagnosis, especially with virus variation. Currently, nanopore pathogen sequencing and antibody detection have been found to be effective in clinical diagnosis.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; nanopore sequencing; pneumonia; routine RT-PCR; virus variation.