SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics in the virology laboratory of a University Hospital in Rome during the lockdown period.

PURPOSE: Italy was one of the most affected nations by COVID-19 outside China. The infections, initially limited to Northern Italy, spread to all other Italian regions. This study aims to provide a snapshot of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology based on a single-center laboratory experience in Rome. METHODS: The study retrospectively included 6565 subjects tested for SARS-CoV-2 at the Laboratory of Virology of Sapienza University Hospital in Rome from March 6 to May 4. A total of 9995 clinical specimens were analyzed, including nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, gargle lavages, stools, pleural fluids, and cerebrospinal fluids. RESULTS: Positivity to SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 8% (527/6565) of individuals, increased with age, and was higher in male patients (p<0.001). The number of new confirmed cases reached a peak on March 18, and then decreased. The virus was detected in respiratory samples, in stool and in pleural fluids, while none of gargle lavage or cerebrospinal fluid samples gave a positive result. CONCLUSION: This analysis allowed to gather comprehensive information on SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in our area, highlighting positivity variations over time and in different sex and age group and the need for a continuous surveillance of the infection, mostly because the pandemic evolution remains unknown. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.