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: The COVID-19 outbreak that has spread all around the world is still a threat for humankind. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of the disease are enlightened day by day. It was aimed to evaluate the characteristics of children and their parents with COVID-19 to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Material(s) and Method(s): A retrospective review of the medical records of pediatric patients and their parents who were confirmed as COVID-19 positive, between April 23, and May 28, 2020, was conducted. Result(s): A total of 93 children and 81 adults were evaluated in the present study. Asymptomatic and mild cases accounted for 63.5% of the children and 50% of the parents. Of the children, 3.2% had moderate illness, whereas this was 9.8% for the parents There was a statistically significant difference in terms of the severity of illness between the children and their parents (p =0.01). Although it had a milder clinical course in children, one child died. Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed in 8.6% of the children and 48.1% of the patients, and there was statistically significant difference in terms of CRP levels between the children and their parents (p =0.001). Conclusion(s): The clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of COVID-19 showed differences in the children and their parents. It should be kept in mind that COVID-19 can be fatal in children, although the course of the disease appears to be milder in children than in their parentsCopyright © 2023 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.
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.