False-negative SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is an Important Consideration for Patient Management and Infection Prevention: A Case Report from The Louisville COVID-19 Epidemiology Study

Authors

Matthew Song PharmD, BCIDP, Norton HealthcareFollow
Ashley M. Wilde, Norton HealthcareFollow
Sarah E. Moore PharmD, Norton HealthcareFollow
Brian C. Bohn PharmD, Norton HealthcareFollow
Clayton J. Patross, Norton HealthcareFollow
Bryan Denham, DXP ImagingFollow
Paul Schulz, Infectious Diseases, Norton HealthcareFollow
Julio A. Ramirez, University of LouisvilleFollow

20.0257

Funder

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

Abstract

We report a case of false-negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on a nasopharyngeal swab. Treating clinicians and infection preventionists should maintain a high suspicion for COVID-19 in the appropriate clinical setting despite negative test results. Utilization of chest computed tomography (CT) should be strongly considered in the diagnostic work-up for suspected COVID-19, particularly in areas with limited RT-PCR availability.

DOI

10.18297/jri/vol4/iss1/43

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Song, Matthew PharmD, BCIDP; Wilde, Ashley M.; Moore, Sarah E. PharmD; Bohn, Brian C. PharmD; Patross, Clayton J.; Denham, Bryan; Schulz, Paul; and Ramirez, Julio A. (2020) "False-negative SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is an Important Consideration for Patient Management and Infection Prevention: A Case Report from The Louisville COVID-19 Epidemiology Study," The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 43.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18297/jri/vol4/iss1/43
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jri/vol4/iss1/43