ABSTRACT
Objective: We evaluated PCR negativity in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions of COVID-19 patients at the end of hydroxychloroquine and/or favipiravir treatments.Methods: Study inclusion criteria were being hospitalized, being older than 18 years, PCR positivity in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions and being tested for SARS CoV-2-RNA PCR after treatment. Initially hydroxychloroquine treatment (group 1) was administered to the patients according to COVID-19 guide of Health Ministry. Favipiravir (group 2) alone or in combination with hydroxychloroquine (group 3) was administered to patients who were unresponsive to hydroxychloroquine or had severe pneumonia or were admitted to intensive care unit. Control respiratory specimens were taken no earlier than 24 hours, after the end of therapy. Repeated tests with 24-48-hour intervals were performed in patients with still positive PCR test results. The detection of SARS CoV-2-RNA was made by real-time PCR.Results: The study group included 492 patients who received treatment. Mean duration of symptoms was similar among three groups. PCR negativity rate was 52.8% in the specimens taken 24 hours after the end of treatment. PCR negativity rates was 27.9% (200/492) in 48 hours after the end of treatment, %13.8 (123/492) in 72nd hour and %3.8 (80/492) in 96th hour. The ratios of PCR negativity for all specimen days were similar in three groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for time to PCR negativity from the date of positivity and after the end of treatment. We determined that early or late treatment did not make a difference in terms PCR negativity time.Conclusion: No difference was found in terms of the ratios of PCR negativity or time for negativity in oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal specimens taken after the end of treatment in COVID-19 patients receiving hydroxychloro-quine and/or favipiravir treatment.
ABSTRACT
Objective: We evaluated PCR negativity in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions of COVID-19 patients at the end of hydroxychloroquine and/or favipiravir treatments. Method(s): Study inclusion criteria were being hospitalized, being older than 18 years, PCR positivity in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal secretions and being tested for SARS CoV-2-RNA PCR after treatment. Initially hydroxychloroquine treatment (group 1) was administered to the patients according to COVID-19 guide of Health Ministry. Favipiravir (group 2) alone or in combination with hydroxychloroquine (group 3) was administered to patients who were unre-sponsive to hydroxychloroquine or had severe pneumonia or were admitted to intensive care unit. Control respiratory specimens were taken no earlier than 24 hours, after the end of therapy. Repeated tests with 24-48-hour intervals were performed in patients with still positive PCR test results. The detection of SARS CoV-2-RNA was made by real-time PCR. Result(s): The study group included 492 patients who received treatment. Mean duration of symptoms was similar among three groups. PCR negativity rate was 52.8% in the specimens taken 24 hours after the end of treatment. PCR negativity rates was 27.9% (200/492) in 48 hours after the end of treatment, %13.8 (123/492) in 72nd hour and %3.8 (80/492) in 96th hour. The ratios of PCR negativity for all specimen days were similar in three groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for time to PCR negativity from the date of positivity and after the end of treatment. We determined that early or late treatment did not make a difference in terms PCR negativity time. Conclusion(s): No difference was found in terms of the ratios of PCR negativity or time for negativity in oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal specimens taken after the end of treatment in COVID-19 patients receiving hydroxychloro-quine and/or favipiravir treatment. Copyright © 2022, DOC Design and Informatics Co. Ltd.. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pediatric COVID-19 cases are typically known to be mildly symptomatic and show a good prognosis. However, more severe condition termed Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is encountered in children. This research aimed to evaluate the differences between MIS-C and non-MIS-C (children who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 but did not develop MIS-C) patients according to demographics, comorbidities, and symptoms conditions, as well as clinical, laboratory, radiological findings, treatment, and prognosis. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science-Direct, and LitCovid including articles on observational studies comparing the MIS-C and non-MIS-C cases published between 01 January 2020-15 January 2021. Results: Seventeen articles meeting the criteria were included. No difference was found in terms of gender and age from the demographic characteristics of the MIS-C and non-MIS-C groups. Black race and clinical findings such as fever, rash, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, and laboratory findings CRP and ferritin were found to be higher in the MISC group compared to the nonMISC group (p<0.05). Cardiac complications, use of some medical treatments (steroids, IVIG, inotropic therapy), and need for intensive care were also higher (p< 0.05). Conversely, the presence of comorbidity, presence of rhinoirhea, hemoglobin, lymphocyte, and platelet values were higher in the non-MIS-C group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Evaluation of MIS-C and non-MIS-C patients for various characteristics revealed differences that will guide the diagnosis of and approach to MIS-C cases.