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
The COVID-19 is quickly spreading globally, and the number of cases in Europe and the United States is highly increasing. Compared to diseases caused by earlier identified human CoVs, COVID-19 displays higher transmission competence with minimal severe pathogenesis, as is obvious from the unceasingly increasing numeral of confirmed cases. Older adults with diabetes, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, etc., are more likely to be infected with COVID-19, and COVID-19 disease affects older adults with underlying chronic conditions more than other age groups. Comorbidities are known to aggravate the course of COVID-19 and increase the risk of death associated with COVID-19. However, one factor that makes it difficult for older adults to fight infection is that they have a weaker immune system than other individuals. Another group that the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, could infect is children. However, they seem to be lesser sensitive to infections than adults, and COVID-19 symptoms are usually milder. There are currently no scientific data with a sufficient level of evidence regarding the treatments for COVID-19 infection in children. Therefore, COVID-19 for children's treatment recommendations should be evaluated according to adult studies and pediatric patients. We highlight the diagnostic, clinical, epidemiological, radiological characteristics laboratory and treatment in adults and children in the present study. © 2022, AMG Transcend Association. All rights reserved.