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May 02, 2003

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"SARS Infection Can Linger in Patients"

Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) (05/02/03) P. A15; Stein, Rob; Brown, DeNeen

Officials say that some patients who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) may still have the virus that causes the disease, with Hong Kong researchers reporting that they have detected evidence of SARS in some people thought to be recovered and in some who did not get sick.  However, there have been no documented transmission chains from patients released from hospitals.  Those shedding the virus may not be shedding the whole virus, or they may not be releasing it in sufficient quantities to infect others.  The World Health Organization is asking health officials to use new genetic tests for SARS on suspected cases so they can be isolated if necessary, and it has changed its official "probable" definition to those who test positive even if a chest X-ray is normal.  Scientists are hoping that having the complete genetic sequence of the virus will help them develop better treatments and tests as well as a vaccine.

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