Evaluation of the presence of SARS-COV-2 in the vaginal fluid of reproductive-aged women
, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2
Abstract
Objectives: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mainly transmitted through respiration and direct contact. The status of the infection in the female genital system is still unknown. The study aimed to evaluate whether SARS-CoV-2 is present in the vaginal fluid of women with COVID-19 infection in reproductive period.
Material and methods: Women who were between the ages of 18–50 years and clinically confirmed to have COVID-19 infection at our hospital between 20 April–31 May 2020 were included in the study. Women who were in their menstrual cycle during the study and who had a known cervical intraepithelial lesion and/or cancer, sexually transmitted disease and history and/or symptoms of vaginitis were excluded from the study. In patients in whom no pathology was detected during the examination, a sample was taken from the vaginal fluid for PCR by using Dacron tip swab. Analysis was performed with Genesig Real-Time PCR COVID-19 kit (Primer Design, England).
Results: Eighteen women who were in reproductive period and diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 38.16 ± 8.54. None of the patients were in their menopause period. The clinical symptoms of these women were similar to those of confirmed severe COVID-19 cases. SARS-CoV-2 was found to be negative in the samples taken from the vaginal fluid in all patients.
Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detected in the vaginal fluid of the patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in reproductive period.
Keywords: coronavirusSARS-CoV-2vaginal fluid
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