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COVID-19 has surfaced as a multi-organ disease predominantly affecting the respiratory system. Detection of the viral RNA through reverse transcriptase–PCR (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal or throat sample is the preferred method of diagnosis. Recent evidence has suggested that COVID-19 patients can shed the SARS-CoV-2 for several weeks. Herein, we report six cases of COVID-19 who had persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 on repeat RT-PCR testing reaching up to 9 weeks. The spectrum of cases described ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. A full understanding of the virus’s transmission dynamics needs further research. Prolonged viral shedding currently has unclear implications on the management and isolation decisions—the role of the cycle threshold (Ct) value in guiding therapeutic decisions is yet to be clarified. More data on the relationship between Ct values and viral cultivation are needed, especially in patients with prolonged viral shedding, to understand the virus’s viability and infectivity.
Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a gram-positive, novobiocinresistant, coagulase-negative staphylococcus species. 1 It is the second most frequent causative microorganism in acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections in young, sexually active women. 2 However, it can present with a variety of complicated genitourinary tract infections which include prostatitis, pyelonephritis, and epididymitis. 3 Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteremia rarely complicates the involvement of the urinary tract, particularly in immunocompetent hosts. 4 The clinical presentation and diagnosis are usually undistinguished S. saprophyticus bacteremia secondary to pyelonephritis from typical uropathogens. 5 Typically, S. saprophyticus is sensitive to most antimicrobials used to treat UTIs. However, there is rising resistance of S. saprophyticus to empirically and commonly used antibiotics to treat cystitis, hence, rendering the management more challenging. 6 Herein, we report an unusual highly resistant case of S. saprophyticus pyelonephritis leading to bacteremia in an otherwise healthy young female patient who was successfully treated with a course of vancomycin and daptomycin. In addition, we reviewed the literature for similar cases.
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