Endocervical swabbing in women with COVID-19 symptoms from departments of Paraguay

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is eminently a transmission infection and respiratory initiation, the existence of other sources of contagion is discussed. The ACE2 viral receptor has also been detected in the uterus and vagina; Hence, the involvement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the genitourinary system and its possible repercussions on pregnancy has been raised. Aim: To determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in endocervical samples of women with COVID-19 in the departments of Paraguay. Methods: Design: a prospective observational of transverse cohort. Two hundred women were recruited from August 2020 to            February 2021, with no more than 48/72 hours of a previous positive nasopharyngeal swab result for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (rt-RT -PCR) and who agreed to participate in the study.  A clinical epidemiological questionnaire was completed. The samples were taken in health services of the MSPYBS (Public Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), homes and shelters in the different departments of Paraguay. Each patient underwent a swab (dacron swabs) or endocervical cytobrush for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by rt-RT-PCR. Results: Women recruited had a mean age of 46.5 years (95% CI 31,562.5). They reported contagion with SARS-CoV-2: 75.5% in the community, 13.5% at home, 8.5% in the place of work and 1.5% abroad. The clinical manifestations were: 30% flu syndrome, 22.5% fever, 20% cough, 15.5% anosmia, 15.5% digestive disorders, among other symptoms. The swabs or endocervical cytobrush samples subjected to rt-RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 were negative in       the 200 study women. Discussion: It should be noted that the vaginal samples were taken within 24-72 hours after obtaining a positive result for SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharyngeal swab and that 62.5% of the women were hospitalized in respiratory modules. The reason for the negativity of the exams and their significance are discussed. Conclusion: No SARS Cov-2 infection was detected in the endocervical region of 200 women with clinical manifestations of COVID 19 and evaluated within 48/72 hours of a positive nasopharyngeal result for SARS Cov-2. The results in the study population agree with the findings of other studies reported in the literature.