scholarly journals Association of Anosmia and Positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR Test Results Among Patients in the Quezon City General Hospital

Author(s):  
Jeff James Alega ◽  
Emmanuel Tadeus Cruz

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the association of anosmia and positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test results among patients in a tertiary government hospital in Metro Manila.   Methods: Design: Cross-Sectional Study Setting: Tertiary Government Hospital Participants: Patients aged 18 years old and above who consulted or were admitted with COVID-19 symptoms at the Quezon City General Hospital in the Philippines from July to September 2020 answered an offline version of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery AAO-HNS COVID-19 Anosmia Reporting Tool prior to undergoing (COVID-19) RT-PCR testing.   Results: Out of 172 participants, 63 (36.6%) presented with anosmia. Sixty (95.2%) out of 63 of those with anosmia had a positive COVID-19 RT-PCR test result. Forty-one (65%) participants reported anosmia as the first symptom while the most common associated symptoms were fever (59%), cough (50%), and rhinorrhea (31%). There was a significant association between anosmia and positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR tests (X2 =33.85, df=1, p<.0001).   Conclusion: Anosmia was associated with a positive SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RT-PCR test in more than 95% of those who reported the symptom. Anosmia should be considered as a red flag sign which should be included in the screening of persons suspected of being infected with COVID-19 to help mitigate further spread of the virus.

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (5) ◽  
pp. 923-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol H. Yan ◽  
Divya P. Prajapati ◽  
Michele L. Ritter ◽  
Adam S. DeConde

The association of smell and taste loss with COVID-19 has been well demonstrated with high prevalence rates. In certain cases, chemosensory loss may be the only symptom of COVID-19 and may linger while other symptoms have resolved. The significance of persistent smell and taste loss and its relationship to ongoing viral shedding has yet to be investigated. In this cross-sectional study, of the 316 laboratory test–confirmed COVID-19 cases at our institution, 46 had subsequent test-based confirmation of viral clearance with 2 consecutive negative RT-PCR test results (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). Olfactory dysfunction was reported by 50% of the patients (23 of 46), with 78% (18 of 23) having subjective persistent smell loss despite negative RT-PCR test results. These preliminary data demonstrate the persistence of self-reported smell loss despite otherwise clinical resolution and undetectable nasal viral RNA.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berhanu Nega Alemu ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
Gemechis Mamo ◽  
Negussie Deyessa ◽  
Tamrat Abebe ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundAnti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are being increasingly used for sero-epidemiological purposes to provide better understanding of the extent of the infection in the community, and monitoring the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic. We conducted sero-prevalence study to estimate prior infection with with SARS-CoV-2 in Addis Ababa.MethodsA cross-sectional study was done from April 23 to 28, 2020 among 301 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa; with no known history of contact with confirmed COVID-19 person. Interviews on socio demographic and behavioural risk factor followed by serological tests were performed for SARS-CoV-2 IgM, and IgG antibodies, using COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. The test has sensitivity of 87·9% and specificity of 100% for lgM; and a sensitivity of 97·2% and specificity of 100% for IgG. RT-PCR test was also done on combined nasopharyngeal and oropharengeal swabs as an important public health consideration.FindingsThe unadjusted antibody-based crude SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 7·6% and the adjusted true SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was estimated at 8·8% (95% CI 5·5%-11·6%) for the study population. Higher sero-prevalence were observed for males (9.0%), age below 50 years (8.2%), students and unemployed (15.6%), those with primary education (12.1%), smokers (7.8%), alcohol consumers (8.6%), chatt-chewers (13.6%) and shish smokers (18.8%). Seroprevalence was not significantly associated neither with socio-demographic not behavioral characteristics. According to the findings, possibly more individuals had been infected in Addis Ababa than what was being detected and reported by RT-PCR test suggestive of community transmission. The use of serological test for epidemiological estimation of the extent of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic gives a more precise estimate of magnitude which would be used for further monitoring and surveillance of the magnitude of the SARS CoV-2 infection.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Mohammad Afzal Hossain ◽  
Shirin Mohal ◽  
Md Abdullah Yusuf ◽  
Md Saiful Islam ◽  
Md Rafiqul Islam ◽  
...  

Background: Resistance among the different classes of antimicrobials including fluoroquinolones has arisen in a multitude of bacterial species in the hospitals and in the community. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to measure the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance as well as to evaluate the susceptibility pattern of the isolates to various antibiotics. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at a General Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July'2009 to December'2009. Different clinical specimens were collected and culture was done in the appropriate media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. Gram negative bacterial isolates with decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin were tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by using the E-test. Results: A total of 1246 gram-negative bacilli (GNB) were isolated from different specimens of which 486(39.0%) isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The MIC of these isolates ranged from 4 to 32 ?g/ml. Most of the Ciprofloxacin resistant isolates were from urinary tract infections. Conclusion: The prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in different specimens is high. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i1.16197 J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(1):7-10


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahteme Bekele Muleta ◽  
Mebratu Abrha Kebede ◽  
Abrham Getachew Dullo ◽  
Adugna Lissanewerk Mekonnen ◽  
Thomas Shimelis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 outbreak is proving to be a unique disaster in many countries across the globe. Screening and diagnosis are challenges in resource-limited countries as confirmation with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is expensive and less accessible. Besides, due to the overlapping manifestations, there are no strongly suggestive symptoms that can be used as a screening tool. The goal of this study was to assess the validity of a newly created mobile phone application tool as a COVID-19 screening approach to the gold standard test (RT-PCR).Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1029 individuals for validity assessment of a newly developed COVID-19 screening tool by having PCR test results as a reference. After obtaining consent, data were collected using a structured questionnaire, maintaining all the COVID 19 prevention protocols. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. The sensitivity and specificity of the tool were determined. Result: A total of 1005 participants were included in the study, which made the response rate close to 98%. The mean age of the respondents was 50.8 (SD=17.32) years; 574 (57.1%) were males and 108 (10.7%) were in the age category of 41 years and above. The current study identified that the internal consistency of Cronbach’s α was 0.769. The validity analysis result of the tool revealed that it has a sensitivity of 77.6% with 31.6% of positive predictive value and specificity of t 46.4% with 86.5% of negative predictive value. This study revealed that 59.4% of the study participants showed COVID-19 related symptoms and classified as tested positive for the infection, based on the newly developed mobile phone COVID-19 screening tool, whereas only 24.4% of them had positive test results for COVID-19 infection.Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the mobile application tool for symptomatic COVID 19 patients was almost equivalent to the nasal swab RT PCR test. Therefore, we recommend the use of this screening test bot. It is easily accessible and hence an effective way of reaching the population affected by the disease for early detection of symptomatic patients and taking appropriate measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Anne B. Toral ◽  
Michelle V. Alba ◽  
Zaldy Reyes ◽  
Al Joseph R. Molina

Background. The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) was designated as a COVID Referral Center for one cluster in Metro Manila during the pandemic. We reviewed and described how UP-PGH prepared for this endeavor. This can serve as reference for similar events in the future. Methods. We conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study with 20 key informant interviews and 5 focus group discussions involving 32 hospital front liners. All proceedings were transcribed and analyzed manually following the conceptual framework. Minutes of meetings, memoranda, and other official materials and communications were also reviewed. Results. The salient points of both internal (operations, structure, staff, supplies, and continuation of regular services) and external aspects (relation with other hospitals, the local government, the national health authority, and the general public) were enumerated and elaborated. Both best practices and areas needing improvement were identified. Conclusion and Recommendations. The UP-PGH tried its best to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting its hospital personnel and delivering evidence-based and quality care to patients. The response was not a perfect one and there were certain aspects for improvement.


Author(s):  
Keerthana M. ◽  
Pushpalatha S. ◽  
ShanthiKumari S. ◽  
Cynthia S. Savolu ◽  
Sreedevi A.

Background: Nurses and paramedical staff face a high risk of infection due to excessive COVID-19 exposure. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured among nurses and paramedical staff, with an aim to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and the characteristics associated with it.Methods: After obtaining IEC Clearance and informed consent from the study subjects, a cross sectional study was conducted from August to September, 2020. Data was collected from 127 nurses and paramedical staff, Government general hospital, Kurnool, selected by simple random sampling, using a semi-structured questionnaire and chemiluminescence immunoassay test for which IgM antibodies cut off value was 10 AU/ml. Test results and participant characteristics were recorded and data was analysed by MS Excel 13. Results: Among the study participants, seroprevalence was found to be 2.4%. Majority were females (66.9%). Most of them were aged 20-29 (24.4%) followed by 40-49 (19.7%) and 50-59 (10.2%) years. 56.7% were working in COVID wards. 42.5% worked in 3-6 hour shifts.Conclusions: The present study did show a low prevalence of IgM among nurses and paramedical staff. This might be an indicator that the personal protection measures were effective. Further it can provide an overview of the current seroprevalence of the health care workers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Fatan Abshari ◽  
Zulfikar Ali

Objective: Transurethral lithotripsy using Holmium-YAG laser has been reported to be beneficial in breaking up bladder stones with large size (>4cm in diameter) with lower risk of mucosal injury and hematuria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utilization of Holmium-YAG laser for the management of bladder stones at Kardinah General Hospital, Tegal. Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2017 to March 2017. Patient’s demography, which included age, sex, length of surgery, stone size, and laser’s energy count were recorded. Results: We included 120 patients in this study. Mean of patients age in this study was 51.93 years old with age range were 41-85 years old. Most of the patients were male (109 vs 11) with a mean size of stone 25.09 ± 3.04 mm. Length of surgery ranges from 15 to 75 minutes and mean energy of the laser 28.99 ± 19.34 kJ. There was 100% stone’s clearance following surgery with no major complication occurred. Conclusion: Holmium-YAG laser is effective in managing bladder stones at Kardinah General Hospital particularly for large size stones. Length of surgery and energy of laser used depend on the stone size in which bigger stone size is associated with longer surgery time and bigger laser energy needed.


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