Use of Chest CT in Combination with Negative RT-PCR Assay for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus but High Clinical Suspicion

Abstract

nucleic acid assay was also negative at this time.Six days after admission, the third RT-PCR 2019-nCoV nucleic acid assay was finally found to be positive.When specimen tests are negative, the possibility of a false-negative result should be considered in the context of a patient's recent exposures and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with 2019-nCoV infection (1,2).In this case, chest CT findings were typical of findings for 2019-nCoV pneumonia (3) coupled with recent exposure suggesting that 2019-nCoV infection was likely.Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest: P.H. disclosed no relevant relationships.T.L. disclosed no relevant relationships.L.