scholarly journals Clinical Presentation of Patients with Aseptic Meningitis, Factors Influencing Treatment and Hospitalization, and Consequences of Enterovirus Cerebrospinal Fluid Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e1-e5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Patriquin ◽  
Jill Hatchette ◽  
Kevin Forward
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Enteroviral Meningitis ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Pcr Test

INTRODUCTION: Clinical and laboratory features of enteroviral meningitis may overlap with those of bacterial meningitis. In the present retrospective review, we compared features of enteroviral (EV)-positive and -negative patients to determine those that were most influential in admission, discharge and in anti-infective administration.METHODS: Data were analyzed from the records of 117 pediatric and adult patients who underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) EV testing over a three-year period.RESULTS: The oldest EV-positive patient was 34 years of age and the occurrence of the disease was highly seasonal. EV-positive patients were more likely to report fever, rash, photophobia, short onset and exposure to an ill contact. A positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result was associated with relatively short hospitalization. Seizure and neurological symptoms were more strongly associated with a negative PCR test result. CSF characteristics did not discriminate well between patients with positive and negative PCR tests. Patients with imperfect Glasgow Coma Scores or with neurological symptoms were more likely to be admitted to hospital than those without. Fever and recent onset predicted determinants of anti-infective use.CONCLUSION: The present retrospective study confirms previous reports regarding seasonality and the young age of positive patients. Factors that indicate nonenteroviral etiology were appropriately also those that influenced hospitalization. Patients with EV meningitis were likely to be treated with empirical anti-infectives, and a substantial proportion continued to take antibiotics for more than 24 h after receiving the positive EV PCR test result.

Death and COVID-19 Anxiety in Home-Quarantined Individuals Aged 65 and Over During the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110598
Author(s):  
Hümeyra Aslaner ◽  
Betül Özen ◽  
Zeliha K. Erten ◽  
Mebrure Beyza Gökçek
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Anxiety Score ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Pcr Test

Urgent measures were taken for those at the age of 65 and over who were at the risk group all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is known that many individuals at the age of 65 and over have experienced anxiety due to the uncertainties. This study aimed to determine the anxiety and death anxiety in individuals aged 65 and over who were isolation at home due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being in contact during the pandemic process. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional. It was performed with 656 home-quarantined individuals aged between 65–80 years with positive or negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. A form including questions about the death anxiety and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form prepared by the researchers were administered to the individuals by phone call. Of the participants, 49.5% were male. Median COVID-19 anxiety score was 4 (0–18). Anxiety scores of the male and female participants were similar. Participants with negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and those with death anxiety had higher COVID anxiety scores. Death anxiety has increased by 1.661 times in male gender, 1.983 times in RT-PCR positivity and 0.146 times in the presence of symptoms. Individuals with positive COVID-19 test results or those aged 65 and over who had death anxiety and negative COVID-19 test result but who were in home-isolation due to being a contact had higher anxiety score. For this reason, those with death anxiety can be supported in line with their religious beliefs to reduce anxiety. Those with negative PCR test results in quarantine can be adequately informed about the COVID-19.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Enteroviral Meningitis by Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction of Cerebrospinal Fluid, Stool, and Serum Specimens

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 982-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kupila ◽  
Tytti Vuorinen ◽  
Raija Vainionpaa ◽  
Reijo J. Marttila ◽  
Pirkko Kotilainen
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Enteroviral Meningitis

scholarly journals Is the Portable Chest Radiographic More Reliable to Reveal Covid19 in Highly Suspicion Patient before Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Test?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (03) ◽  
pp. 228-236
Author(s):  
Bushra A. A. Albazi ◽  
Dr Noof. Albaz ◽  
Dr Nayef. Alqahtani ◽  
Dr. Angham Salih ◽  
Dr Rafat Mohtasab
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Rate Type ◽  
Test Result ◽  
Pcr Test

A large number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present at hospitals. There are a limited number of isolation rooms open, and patients must often wait a long time to get a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test done. This necessitates the introduction of effective triage plans. A patient with suspicions is referred to an emergency room (ED) depending on their medical record for a simple physical assessment, blood test findings, and chest imaging.A retrospective study design was conduct at Prince Sultan Medical Military City (PSMMC). Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional board to wave the consent forms since it is a retrospective study. Only the primary investigator has had the data access to the patients’ medical records. The collected patient records were under specific categories, including symptoms score starts from 5 and above, RT-PCR test result done after CXRP imaging, the patient admitted to the emergency department (ED). Excluding all CXRP done after RT-PCR TEST, positive Covid 19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric patients, and patients with score symptoms were less than five. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the images blindly, and the inter-observer reliability of observations noted by the radiologists was calculated. As for the relationship between the x-ray reading and the RT-PCR test result, our results showed a high correlation between the variables (chi-square χ² = 12.44, with df =1, and p<0.001). The sensitivity of x-ray diagnosing covid19 was 65.52 %, while the specificity was 54.51 %, and the accuracy of radiologists reading was 58.17 %. Furthermore, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 41.76 %, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 76.05%. Finally, the false positive rate (type-i error (alpha) was 45.49%, and the false-negative rate (type-ii error (beta) was 34.48% Our research findings show that CXRP imaging can detect COVID-19 infection in symptomatic patients and can be a valuable addition to RT-PCR testing. In an inpatient ED environment where availability of test kits, laboratory equipment, and laboratory personnel is compromised and risks delaying patient treatment and hospital workflow, serial CXRP could theoretically be used as an adjunct diagnostic function and monitoring in patients suspected of having COVID-19.

scholarly journals Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Re-Detected on PCR Test after Discharge from Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 954-960
Author(s):  
Abdullah J. Alsahafi ◽  
Manal M. Al Daajani ◽  
Ahmed A. Osman ◽  
Abdulhamed L. Moawwad ◽  
Abdullah M. Algarni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Viral Culture ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunological Assays ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
Pcr Test

There have been multiple reports of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after discharge; however, information on the characteristics of such cases is limited. In this case report, we aimed to identify clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients who had a repeat positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed data of 22 COVID-19 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing after two consecutive negative PCR results following discharge from hospitals. The interval between the two positive tests in the episodes of COVID-19 ranged from 4 to 117 days. More than one-third of the cases were healthcare workers (HCWs) and one-third of them had comorbidities. The main symptoms were cough and fever, and we noticed that males experienced more symptoms and signs of COVID-19 than females. Individuals with repeat SARS-CoV-2 positivity tend to experience milder illness during the second episode than the first episode. To confirm the reinfection of SARS-CoV-2, the results of other tests, such as viral culture and immunological assays of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), need to be considered. Recovered COVID-19 patients should continue social distancing, using face masks, and practicing hand hygiene, especially HCWs who are more likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Amplicor Enterovirus Polymerase Chain Reaction in Patients With Aseptic Meningitis

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (10) ◽  
pp. 882-884
Author(s):  
Emilia Hadziyannis ◽  
Nancy Cornish ◽  
Colleen Starkey ◽  
Gary W. Procop ◽  
Belinda Yen-Lieberman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Enteroviral Meningitis

Abstract Objective.—To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and routine cell culture for the detection of enterovirus in cerebrospinal fluid. Methods.—Thirty-eight cerebrospinal fluid specimens were included. Cell culture was inoculated immediately and incubated for 14 days. An aliquot was kept frozen for Amplicor RT-PCR. Chart review was performed to determine the validity of the results. Results.—Nine of 38 specimens were positive for enterovirus by culture, and 14 were positive by RT-PCR. There were 7 discrepancies between the 2 methods. Six specimens were positive by RT-PCR and negative by the culture method. The 1 culture-positive but RT-PCR–-negative specimen was determined to contain PCR inhibitors. All discrepant results were confirmed as true positives by chart review. Patients whose cerebrospinal fluid was negative by both methods had a final diagnosis other than enterovirus infection. Conclusion.—Amplicor PCR is more sensitive than cell culture (93.3% vs 60%) and is very specific. With the incorporation of appropriate controls for the detection of amplification inhibitors, RT-PCR could be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis.

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