scholarly journals Performance of Oropharyngeal Swab Testing Compared With Nasopharyngeal Swab Testing for Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019—United States, January 2020–February 2020

Author(s):  
Monita R Patel ◽  
Darin Carroll ◽  
Emily Ussery ◽  
Hilary Whitham ◽  
Christopher A Elkins ◽  
...  

Abstract Among 146 nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swab pairs collected ≤7 days after illness onset, Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction assay for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR) diagnostic results were 95.2% concordant. However, NP swab cycle threshold values were lower (indicating more virus) in 66.7% of concordant-positive pairs, suggesting NP swabs may more accurately detect the amount of SARS-CoV-2.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Atrikumar P. Patel ◽  
Palak Shah ◽  
Pavan Acharya ◽  
Monila N. Patel

The 2019 novel coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] was rst documented in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and spread across the globe resulting in [1]. signicant global morbidity and mortality Diagnosis of COVID-19 is mainly done by nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab RT-PCR (Reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction). Real time RT-PCR is of great interest today for detection of SARS- CoV-2 due to its benets as a specic assay.


Author(s):  

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) is a novel coronavirus identified for the first time in Wuhan (China) in 2019, responsible of the current pandemic infection known as Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). Wide range of clinical presentation of COVD -19 has been observed, from asymptomatic carriers to ARDS. The common signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection include fever, fatigue, dry cough, and dyspnoea; the severity of the disease is due to the impairment of the respiratory function. The radiological findings include a large variety of lesions; bilateral interstitial pneumonia is the most concerning presentation of COVID-19. Pleural involvement has been described in a minority of cases: pleural thickening had been observed in 32% of cases whereas pleural effusion is uncommon being described in only 5%. Furthermore, pleural involvement has been significantly associated with a worse prognosis. Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), beyond the nasopharyngeal swab, has been detected in other samples; up to now, data about RT-PCR specific results in the pleural fluid of patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 5 (COVID-19) are very limited. The current gold standard for diagnosis is nucleic acid detection by real time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in nasopharyngeal swab. In this report, a case of a positive RT-PCR for Sars-Cov-2 in the pleura fluid and in the naso- pharyngeal swab of a patient affected by bilateral interstitial pneumonia and severe respiratory failure is described. As the presence of SARS-Cov-2 in the pleural fluid seems to be associated to a poor prognosis, physicians should carry out the specific RT-PCR assay both in the nasopharyngeal swab and in the pleural sample also when the fluid amount is very scarce and not recognizable in the chest X ray. Furthermore, the analysis of multiple samples allows to increase the test reliability.


Author(s):  
Neha Saini ◽  
Prem Pandey ◽  
Mandar Shirolkar ◽  
Atul Kulkarni

Humanity is going through never seen before health crisis due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are 24.02 million cases and 0.82 million deaths worldwide as of 26th August 2020 due to deadly infection of COVID-19. The disease has been spreading exponentially (R-naught number: 3) and has challenged even the best healthcare infrastructure in the world. With the progression of the disease, the countries shifted the focus from cure to diagnosis and containment to flatten the curve. The review shows that the disease is spreading exponentially while the resources are still limited. We focus upon the probable vectors of the virus, different diagnostic methods with advantages & limitations, and the way forward. This review article covers the different diagnostic methods with more advantages, limitations, and the future sneak-peek into the forthcoming developments for the diagnostic processes such as RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase chain reaction).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maulin Patel ◽  
Junad Chowdhury ◽  
Matthew Zheng ◽  
Osheen Abramian ◽  
Steven Verga ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionCurrently the main diagnostic modality for COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-2019) is reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) via nasopharyngeal swab which has high false negative rates. We evaluated the performance of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging in the diagnosis of suspected COVID-19 infection compared to RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab alone in patients hospitalized for suspected COVID-19 infection.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 324 consecutive patients admitted to Temple University Hospital. All hospitalized patients who had RT-PCR testing and HRCT were included in the study. HRCTs were classified as Category 1, 2 or 3. Patients were then divided into four groups based on HRCT category and RT-PCR swab results for analysis.ResultsThe average age of patients was 59.4 (±15.2) years and 123 (38.9%) were female. Predominant ethnicity was African American 148 (46.11%). 161 patients tested positive by RT-PCR, while 41 tested positive by HRCT. 167 (52.02%) had category 1 scan, 63 (19.63%) had category 2 scan and 91 (28.35%) had category 3 HRCT scans. There was substantial agreement between our radiologists for HRCT classification (κ = 0.64). Sensitivity and specificity of HRCT classification system was 77.6 and 73.7 respectively. Ferritin, LDH, AST and ALT were higher in Group 1 and D-dimers levels was higher in Group 3; differences however were not statistically significant.ConclusionDue to its high infectivity and asymptomatic transmission, until a highly sensitive and specific COVID-19 test is developed, HRCT should be incorporated into the assessment of patients who are hospitalized with suspected COVID-19.Key PointsKey QuestionCan High Resolution CT chest (HRCT) improve diagnostic accuracy of current Nasopharyngeal swab in suspected COVID-19 patients?Bottom LineIn this retrospective analysis, our novel HRCT classification identified 20% of all COVID-19 patients who had negative nasopharyngeal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests but had HRCT findings consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia. These patients were ruled out for other infections and laboratory markers were similar to other RT-PCR positive patientsWhy Read onOur new HRCT classification when combined with RT-PCR can improve diagnostic accuracy while promptly improving triaging in COVID-19 patients.


2021 ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
Hanna Sahhar ◽  
Karly Derwitz ◽  
Erica Rubin

Since the declaration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been an emergence of a new syndrome termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. MIS-C is defined by the presence of fever, systemic inflammation and multiorgan dysfunction in association with SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 exposure. Knowledge of this syndrome’s presentation and pathophysiology is constantly evolving as more cases are reported in the literature. This case identifies a 3-month-old patient who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antigen, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antibodies but qualified for MIS-C diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge and through extensive research at the time of diagnosing and reporting this condition to the healthcare authorities, we report the youngest pediatric patient with MIS-C diagnosis. We document this case to contribute to further understanding the variable manifestations of MIS-C and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246312
Author(s):  
Anne Schneider ◽  
Holger Kirsten ◽  
Franziska Lordick ◽  
Florian Lordick ◽  
Christoph Lübbert ◽  
...  

Objective Understanding mild to moderate symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is important in order to identify active cases early and thus counteract transmission. Methods In March 2020, Leipzig University Hospital established an outpatient clinic for patients potentially infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Confirmed cases with mild to moderate symptoms self-isolated at home and were followed-up by daily telephone calls for at least 14 days. Symptoms and course of illness of these patients are reported here. Results From March 20 to April 17, 2020, 1460 individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by naso- or oropharyngeal swab for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Covid-19 was confirmed in 91 (6.2%) patients, of which 87 were included in the final analysis. Patients presented for testing after a mean of 5.9 days (IQR = 2.0–8.5). The median age was 37.0 years (IQR = 28.5–53), and 48 (55.2%) were female. Five (5.7%) patients required hospital admission during the course of illness. Most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue (n = 64, 74%), cough (n = 58, 67%), and hyposmia/hypogeusia (n = 44, 51%). In contrast to previous reports, fever occurred in less than a third of patients (n = 25, 29%). By day 14, more than half of the patients had recovered completely (n = 37/70, 52.9%). Conclusions Fever seems to be less common in patients of relatively young age diagnosed with mild to moderate Covid-19. This suggests that body temperature alone may be an insufficient indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
Hany Mahmoud ◽  
Ahmed Radwan ◽  
Amr El Rashidy ◽  
Hesham M. Hefny ◽  
Amal H. Ali ◽  
...  

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate coronavirus shedding in the tears of asymptomatic pediatric COVID-19 positive patients. Methods: A prospective interventional study that included a total of 145 pediatric asymptomatic COVID-19 patients hospitalized from 17th May 2020 to 16th July 2020 in Sohag Tropical Hospital. On admission, all of them were COVID-19 positive detected through nasopharyngeal swab. They were in intimate contact with positive symptomatic COVID-19 patients before testing and admission. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done for tears samples at an interval of 5 days after admission and twice before discharge. Results: Of the 145 asymptomatic pediatric COVID-19 positive patients, no one showed ocular or systemic manifestations. They were silent carriers. Ten were positive for tears sample on admission. They became negative for nasopharyngeal and tear samples before discharge. Conclusion: Pediatric positive COVID-19 patients can shed coronavirus through their tears. Even among asymptomatic patients, transmission through tears is possible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 2572-2575
Author(s):  
Marlena Kwiatkowska ◽  
Inga Chomicka ◽  
Jolanta Malyszko

Introduction: A novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 RNA, detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. It rapidly spread, at first in China, then resulting in an epidemic in other countries throughout the world. One of such controversial topics is the issue of diagnostics and interpretation of test for COVID-19. According to Polish and global guidelines, the basis for diagnosis is molecular testing – real-time reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Taking all these data into consideration, the aim of the study was to compare RT-PCR with serological test in our employees post-exposure. According to Polish and global guidelines, the basis for diagnosis is molecular testing, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The aim: To compare RT-PCR with serological test in our employees post-exposure. Material and methods: 79 employees of the Clinic, 19 men and 60 women in the age range 27-69 years were evaluated. Tests were begun four days after information about the positive test in our „Employee 0” and lasted for 7 days. At first, we made RT-PCR tests on the specimen from nasopharyngeal swab. Then, we accomplished rapid antibodies tests. This test is based on the qualitative assessment of the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies by immunochromatography using a sample of capillary blood from the fingertip. Results: All the tests were negative. No employee developed symptoms during the 7-day follow-up after the end of the tests. Conclusions: As routine tests for patients have been implemented widely, but similar solutions for employees have not gained popularity. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) e.g. facemask and shields, transparent screens, disposable medical uniforms, minimalization the contact time, increasing distance from both colleagues and patients (if possible), and strictly follow sanitary procedures largely contributed to the absence of illness in the surveyed group of employees.


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