Swab-based viral RNA detection in hospitalized patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Data on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) RNA detection in non-blood specimens remain limited. We evaluated CCHFV RNA detection in nasopharyngeal (NP), oropharyngeal (OP), and sweat swab samples from hospitalized patients with CCHF. Among 50 patients with confirmed CCHF, CCHFV RNA was detected in at least one NP or OP swab in 91.5% of patients. Sweat swabs were positive in 34.9% of cases and sweat RNA detection was associated with greater disease severity. Among patients with paired admission and discharge samples 75% became swab PCR-negative at discharge. Upper respiratory swabs frequently contained detectable CCHFV RNA, supporting further evaluation of non-invasive swab sampling as an adjunct specimen for molecular diagnosis of CCHF.