ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus which has proven to be highly contagious. Specific viral dynamics and immune response to the virus are yet to be fully defined and determining the sensitivity and specificity of the available testing methods is still a work in progress. This study examines the published information on the testing methods, and finds that yield of COVID-19 tests changes with specimen types and with time through course of illness. We propose a sequential battery of testing consisting of an epidemiologic survey, RT-PCR tests, serologic tests and chest CT on surgical candidates which may increase the negative predictive value, and facilitate surgical procedures. RESUMO O SARS-CoV-2 é um novo vírus que provou ser altamente contagioso. A dinâmica viral específica e a resposta imunológica ao vírus ainda não foram totalmente definidas e a determinação da sensibilidade e especificidade dos métodos de teste disponíveis ainda está em andamento. Este estudo examina as informações publicadas sobre os métodos de testagem e conclui que o rendimento dos testes COVID-19 muda de acordo com o tipo de amostra e com o tempo de progressão da doença. Propomos uma bateria sequencial de testes, que consiste em um levantamento epidemiológico, testes de RT-PCR, testes sorológicos e tomografia computadorizada de tórax em candidatos a cirurgia, que podem aumentar o valor preditivo negativo e facilitar procedimentos cirúrgicos.
ABSTRACT
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are medications that have been used for a long time. Their most common use is for the treatment and prophylaxis of malaria. However, these antimalarial drugs are known to also have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects and are used for several chronic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus with low adverse effects. The antiviral action of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine has been a point of interest to different researchers due to its mechanism of action. Several in vitro studies have proven their effectiveness on severe acute respiratory syndrome virus and currently both in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted on 2019 novel coronavirus (covid-19). The purpose of this article is to review the history and mechanism of actions of these drugs and the potential use they can have on the current covid-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
Antimalarials/pharmacology , Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Hydroxychloroquine/pharmacology , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , COVID-19 , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Drug TreatmentABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus which has proven to be highly contagious. Specific viral dynamics and immune response to the virus are yet to be fully defined and determining the sensitivity and specificity of the available testing methods is still a work in progress. This study examines the published information on the testing methods, and finds that yield of COVID-19 tests changes with specimen types and with time through course of illness. We propose a sequential battery of testing consisting of an epidemiologic survey, RT-PCR tests, serologic tests and chest CT on surgical candidates which may increase the negative predictive value, and facilitate surgical procedures.