ABSTRACT
\Accurate and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 is significant for early tracing, isolating and treating the infected patients, which will efficiently prevent the virus large-scale spread from human to human. In this paper, two kinds of novel quantitative lateral flow test strip for N and RBD antigens of SARS-CoV-2 were established with high sensitivity, which utilize AIE luminogens (AIEgens) as reporter. Because of the high brightness and resistance of quenching property in aqueous of the AIEgens, the limit of detection of 7.2 ng/mL for N protein and 6.9 ng/mL for RBD protein could be achieved with the AIEgens-based lateral flow test strip. Furthermore, it was negative for other protein or antigen samples assay, which demonstrated the great specificity of the test strategy. A N95 mask equipped with the test strip was designed to employ as the antigen collector with excellent enrichment effect. Compared with the other two test strips based on the Au nanoparticle and FITC, the well-designed AIEgens-based lateral flow test strip presented high sensitivity and excellent anti-interference capacity in complex bio-samples. Furthermore, the AIEgens-based lateral flow test strip assay could be built as a promising platform for the emergency usage at pandemic.Funding: This work was supported by the NSFC (51961160730, 51873092, and 81921004), the National Key R&D Program of China (Intergovernmental Cooperation Project, 2017YFE0132200), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, and the Tianjin Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (19JCJQJC61200).Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
ABSTRACT
Background: To explore the kinetic changes in virology, specific antibody response and imaging during the clinical course of COVID-19. Methods: : This observational study enrolled 20 patients with COVID-19, who were hospitalized between January 20-April 6, 2020, in the two COVID-19 designated hospitals of Zhoushan, Zhejiang and Rushan, Shandong, China, The laboratory findings, imaging, serum response to viral infection, and viral RNA level in the throat and stool samples were assessed from onset to recovery phase in patients with COVID-19. Results: : SARS-COV-2 RNA was positive as early as day four. It remained positive until day 55 post-onset in the sputum-throat swabs and became negative in most cases (55%) within 14 days after onset. Lymphocytopenia occurred in 40% (8/20) of patients during the peak infection period and returned to normal at week five. The most severe inflammation in the lungs appeared in week 2 or 3 after onset, and this was completely absorbed between week 6 and 8 in 85.7% of patients. All patients had detectable antibodies to the receptor binding domain (RBD), and 95% of these patients had IgG to viral N proteins. The antibody titer peaked at week four. Anti-S IgM was positive in 7 of 20 patients after week three. Conclusions: : All COVID-19 patients in this study were self-limiting and recovered well though it may take as long as 6-8 weeks. Our findings on the kinetic changes in imaging, serum response to viral infection and viral RNA level may help understand pathogenesis and define clinical course of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: Liver injuries in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported, however, the clinical role played by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is obscure. Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, the parameters of liver function tests in COVID-19 inpatients were compared between various timepoints referred to SARS-CoV-2 shedding, and 3 to 7 days before first detection of viral shedding was regarded as reference baseline.Results: Totally, 70 COVID-19 inpatients were enrolled. Twenty-two (31.4%) cases had self-medications history after illness. At baseline, 10 (14.3%), 7 (10%), 9 (12.9%), 2 (2.9%), 15 (21.4%), and 4 (5.7%) patients already had abnormal rates of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total bilirubin (TBIL), respectively. ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not show any significantly dynamic change during the full period of viral shedding (all P > 0.05). GGT abnormal rate (P = 0.008) and level (P = 0.033) significantly increased on day 10 of viral shedding. Meanwhile, no simultaneously significant increases of ALP abnormal rates and levels were observed. TBIL abnormal rates and levels significantly increased on day 1 and 5 of viral shedding (all P < 0.05). Albumin abnormal decrease rates increased and levels decreased consistently from baseline to SARS-CoV-2 clearance day (all P < 0.05). Thirteen (18.6%) patients had chronic liver diseases, two of them died. The ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not increase in patients with chronic liver diseases during SARS-CoV-2 shedding.Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 does not directly lead to elevations of ALT and AST, but may result in elevations of GGT and TBIL, the albumin decreased extraordinarily even SARS-CoV-2 shedding discontinued.