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Summary Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, that causes the COVID-19 disease, has become a global public health problem that requires the implementation of rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests. Aim(s): To evaluate and compare the sensitivity of LAMP assay to a standard method and use RT-LAMP for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples from Colombian patients. Method(s): A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 25 nasopharyngeal swab samples including negative and positive samples for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed, through the RT-LAMP method compared to the RT-qPCR assay. Result(s): LAMP method detected ~18 copies of the N gene, in 30 min, evidenced a detection limit similar to the standard method, in a shorter time and a concordance in RT-LAMP of 100% with the results. Conclusion(s): RT-LAMP is a sensitive, specific, and rapid method that can be used as a diagnostic aid of COVID-19 disease.Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fatal pandemic viral disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The aim of this study is to observe the associations of IL-6, SARS-COV-2 viral load (RNAemia), IL- 6 gene polymorphism and lymphocytes and monocytes in peripheral blood with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. This study was carried out from March 2021 to January 2022. RT-PCR positive 84 COVID-19 patients and 28 healthy subjects were enrolled. Blood was collected to detect SARS-COV-2 viral RNA (RNAemia) by rRT-PCR, serum IL-6 level by chemiluminescence method, SNPs of IL-6 by SSP-PCR, immunophenotyping of lymphocytes and monocyte by flow cytometry. Serum IL-6 level (pg/ml) was considerably high among critical patients (102.02 +/- 149.7) compared to severe (67.20 +/- 129.5) and moderate patients (47.04 +/- 106.5) and healthy controls (3.5 +/- 1.8). Serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid positive cases detected mostly in critical patients (39.28%) and was correlated with extremely high IL-6 level and high mortality (R =.912, P < 0.001). Correlation between IL-6 and monocyte was statistically significant with disease severity (severe group, p < 0.001, and 0.867*** and critical group p < 0.001 and 0.887***). In healthy controls, moderate, severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients, IL-6 174G/C (rs 1800795) GG genotype was 82.14%, 89.20%, 67.85% and 53.57% respectively. CC and GC genotype had strong association with severity of COVID-19 when compared with GG genotype. Significant statistical difference found in genotypes between critical and moderate groups (p < 0.001, OR-10.316, CI-3.22-23.86), where CC genotype was associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. The absolute count of T cell, B cell, NK cell, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were significantly decreased in critical group compared to healthy, moderate and severe group (P < 0.001). Exhaustion marker CD94/NKG2A was increased on NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell among critical and severe group. Absolute count of monocyte was significantly increased in critical group (P < 0.001). Serum IL-6, IL-6 174 G/C gene and SARS-CoV-2 RNAaemia can be used in clinical practice for risk assessment;T cell subsets and monocyte as biomarkers for monitoring COVID-19 severity. Monoclonal antibody targeting IL-6 receptor and NKG2A for therapeutics may prevent disease progression and decrease morbidity and mortality.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc.
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Introduction: The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events including acute myocardial infarction due to a prothrombotic and hypercoagulable status, and endothelial dysfunction. Case report: We report the case of a 62-year-old women, admitted to the hospital via the emergency room for acute chest pain and dyspnea. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for COVID19 real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction 11 day ago. On admission, she was hypotensive with systolic blood pressure measering 87 mmHg and tachycardic with 117 beats/min, oxygen saturation (SO2) was 94%. An 18-lead ECG revealed an infero-postero-lateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction with right ventricular involvement and a seconddegree- Mobitz Type 1 atrioventricular block. The coronary angiography from the right femoral artery showed acute thrombotic occlusion of the first diagonal branch with TIMI 0 flow and acute thrombotic occlusion of proximal right coronary artery with TIMI 0 flow. The most likely diagnosis was myocardial infarction secondary to a non-atherosclerotic coronary occlusion. The angioplasy was performed with dilatations with a semi compliant balloon, bailout implant of BMS, manual thrombus aspiration and intracoronary injection of tirofiban in the right coronary artery. The myocardial revascularization was ineffective. The patient developed significant severe hemodynamic instability and cardiac arrest for pulseless electric activity after 24 hours. Conclusion(s): The COVID-19 outbreak implies deep changes in the clinical profile and therapeutic management of STEMI patients who underwent PCI. At present, the natural history of coronary embolism is not well understood;however, the cardiac mortality rate are hight. This suggests these patients require further study to identify the natural history of the condition and to optimize management to improve outcome.
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Listeriosis is a saprozoonotic infection that occurs when eating foods contaminated with Listeria. Invasive forms of listeriosis can have extremely severe consequences. Respiratory viral diseases predispose to the occurrence of combined viral-bacterial infections. With a mixed infection of listeriosis and COVID-19, a severe course of the disease is observed, which has a serious prognosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of various variants of invasive listeriosis and their outcomes in the period before the COVID-19 pandemic and against the background of its development, as well as to determine the genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes isolates. Material and methods. We analyzed 55 cases of invasive listeriosis in patients observed in 2018-2021 in various medical organizations in Moscow. The diagnosis was established on the basis of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data, listeriosis was confirmed by bacteriological and molecular genetic methods, COVID-19 was confirmed by the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in an oropharyngeal swab using real-time RT-PCR, as well as computed tomography of the lungs. Results. During the current COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), the incidence of listeriosis in pregnant women and invasive listeriosis occurring in the form of sepsis and/or lesions of the central nervous system did not differ significantly from similar indicators registered in 2018-2019. Listeria sepsis and/or meningitis/meningoencephalitis in association with severe SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus infection are at high risk of death. During the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diversity and range of L. monocytogenes genotypes in invasive listeriosis changed, new genotypes appeared that were not previously characteristic of the Russian Federation. Conclusion. The likelihood of developing listeriosis sepsis and/or meningitis/meningoencephalitis against the background of a severe course of COVID-19, and a high risk of an adverse outcome, require increased awareness of medical workers in the field of diagnosis and treatment of invasive listeriosis in order to conduct the earliest and most adequate antibiotic therapy.Copyright © 2022 Geotar Media Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.
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Background and Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus that emerged in late 2019. Cycle threshold (Ct) value of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay inversely correlated with viral load and can provide an indirect method of quantifying the number of copies of viral RNA in the sample is not reported clinically. Hence, this study was undertaken to compare the Ct values of patients tested positive for SARS CoV-2 by RT-PCR with severity of illness, duration of hospital stay, and mortality. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore. All patients tested positive for SARS CoV-2 by RT-PCR and admitted in our hospital were included in the study. Details of the patients on the duration of hospital stay, age, presence of comorbidities, intubation, and mortality were collected. Results: The study comprised of 80 patients, 48 (60%) males and 32 (40%) females. The mean age of the study population was 38.38 years. Majority of patients 41.25% had Ct value between 25 and 30. Patients with lower Ct values were significant associated with increased duration of hospital stay and infected more than one person in family indicating higher probability of transmission of infection. Mortality showed significant association with patients of more than 60 years' age. Interpretation and Conclusions: The study shows possible association between Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay with the duration of hospitalization, infectivity, and mortality. Mention of Ct value along with the positive report could potentially be used to guide patient care management, infection control, and occupational health decisions.
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Intro: Coronaviruses infect humans and a wide range of wild and domestic animals. Some CoVs could be zoonotic, being able to mutate, crossing the species barrier and infecting humans (e.g. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV). Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, several studies were carried out to ascertain the susceptibility of both domestic and wild animals to SARS-CoV-2. However, information on some species is lacking, and for others only RDB-ACE receptor affinity studies have been carried out. Considering the high densities of Marmota marmota in the alpine environment, where livestock and recreational activities are commonly present, this study aims to investigate the presence and characterization of CoVs in this species. Method(s): During provincial relocation plan carried out in 2021 and 2022, 170 alpine marmots were captured in municipality of Livigno in Sondrio province (North-Italy) for decreasing animal density and, after a quarantine period, they were released in other alpine places. Faecal samples were collected from each animal and then subjected to RNA extraction and nested RT-PCR pan-Coronavirus and real time RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. PCR positive samples for pan-CoV were then sequenced. Finding(s): The pan-Coronavirus RT-PCR detected CoVs in seven marmots. The CoV sequence originating from one marmot sampled in 2021 had 97% affinity to strains isolated in lagomorphs. The other six sequences from 2022 were highly correlate with Bovine Beta-CoVs. This could be explained by the fact that marmots share alpine pastures with these species;in fact, the trapping area in 2022 represented grazing and forage production areas. All samples tested for SARS-CoV-2 resulted negative. Conclusion(s): Despite the absence of zoonotic coronaviruses, marmots show high plasticity in harbouring CoVs of sympatric species. For this reason, and considering the affinity of their ACE-receptor demonstrated for SARS-CoV, it would be worthwhile to increase surveillance for CoVs in this species.Copyright © 2023
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Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) play an important role in morbidity formation among children. At the same time, studies about the ARVI etiological structure are not enough. The article presents the results of structure analyses of ARVI in children with severe and moderate degrees of disease hospitalized in the children's clinical hospital of Novosibirsk for the period 2015-2018. This research aimed to analyze the morbidity of acute respiratory viral infections with the estimation of a causal virus in children admitted to the hospital for the period 2015-2018. Material and methods. In this study, 1137 children aged between 0 and 15 years were examined. In order to determine the etiological factor in children with damage of the upper or lower respiratory tract, by using the method of RT-PCR (AmpliSensARVI-screen-FL test systems (InterLabService, Russia), mucus from the nose and throat was examined for the presence of genetic material of viruses that cause ARVI (influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza viruses of types 1-4, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, four types of human coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and bocavirus). Results. The research found that the most frequently detected pathogens are respiratory syncytial virus (23.52%), influenza A and B viruses (19.73%) and rhinovirus (19.21%). Observe the dynamics some fluctuations in the detection of mentioned viral agents and increasing of mixed infections were detected. In addition, the importance of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract combined lesions, particularly for infants and preschool - age children has been noted. Conclusion. The distribution of respiratory viruses in children with severe ARVI who required hospitalization was assessed. It was shown the significance of the respiratory syncytial infection virus, influenza virus and rhinovirus in the etiological structure of hospitalized children of different ages that damage not only the respiratory tract, but also to the gastrointestinal tract. This is an important factor in optimizing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of viral infections in children.Copyright © Infectious Diseases: News, Opinions, Training 2021.
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Intro: Recent evidence shows the Greater Mekong Subregion to be a hotspot for Sarbecoviruses in bats, especially insectivorous Horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus). However, prevalence, maintenance, and evolution of these viruses in Rhinolophids is still poorly understood. Sampling efforts are still limited and generally only cover cross-sectional surveillance at single points in time. Following the detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related viruses in Rhinolophus shameli from 2010 in Steung Treng, Cambodia, further active longitudinal surveillance in the same area between 2020-2021 continued the detection of these viruses. Method(s): Live bat capture and sampling has been implemented in several sites located in Stung Treng province. All rectal swabs of bats were tested for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 or Sarbecoviruses by real time RT-PCR. RNA samples from positive RT-PCR bats were then sequenced using a highly multiplexed PCR amplicon approach using new designed primers set guided by the ARTIC Network multiplex PCR primers set (https://artic.network/ncov-2019), on Oxford Nanopore technology. Finding(s): The sarbecoviruses were detected in four Rhinolophus shameli bats, a percentage of similarity ranging at the nucleotide level between 98.8% - 99.1% when compared to two other Cambodian bat sarbecoviruses from 2010 and between 92.4% - 94.5% when compared to human SARS-CoV-2 across the whole genome. Discussion(s): The bat SARS-CoV-2 related virus recently detected in four positive bats in 2020-2021 are genetically homologous with the virus detected in 2010, indicating a geographically/host limited population that is stable over time in the past ten years. Conclusion(s): Overall, our findings indicate further complexity in the diversity and evolution of sarbecoviruses and add intricacy to the search for the origins of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Copyright © 2023
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Intro: SARS-CoV-2 is a single-strand enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae. It was first recognized in late 2019 as causing COVID-19, and later declared a pandemic. The development of this assay aided in the detection of positive cases early in the pandemic which in turn facilitated the isolation of infected individuals to minimize the spread. Method(s): The SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by real time RT-PCR is a molecular in vitro diagnostic test that aids in the detection and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens. This test is based on nucleic acid extraction and amplification technology and uses oligonucleotide primers and dual-labeled hydrolysis probes. RNA is isolated and purified from specimens using the Abbott m2000sp. This technology uses magnetic particles to capture and purify the RNA. The bound RNA is eluted and transferred to a 96 deep-well plate and is ready for amplification. The master mix is prepared manually and is added to a PCR plate together with the extracted RNA. The RNA is reverse transcribed to cDNA and subsequently amplified in the Abbott m2000rt. In this process, the probe anneals to a specific target sequence located between the forward and reverse primers. During the extension step of the PCR cycle, the 5' nuclease activity of Taq polymerase degrades the probe, causing the reporter dye molecules to be cleaved from their respective probes, increasing the fluorescence intensity. Fluorescence intensity is monitored at each PCR cycle on the Abbott m2000rt instrument. Finding(s): The clinical evaluation was performed by testing patient samples in a blinded fashion. The performance of SARS-CoV-2 Assay was established using 60 clinical specimens. The positive and negative percent agreements were analyzed by comparing the SARS-CoV-2 Assay results to Seegene's AllplexTM 2019-nCoV which showed 100% concordance. Conclusion(s): This assay demonstrated accuracy and reproducibility for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.Copyright © 2023
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Background: SARS-CoV-2 highlighted worldwide, the need of enhance testing capacity. Government of India, under Atmanirbhar Bharat provided platform to private/public companies to develop and manufacture diagnostic reagents /kits for SARS CoV 2 testing. Objective(s): * Performance evaluation of commercial kits. * Handholding of private/public companies to improve the kits quality for its diagnostic accuracy to use for Covid 19 diagnosis Material(s) and Method(s): The SOP for the validation of diagnostic kits were prepared and approved by ICMR technical committee. The ICMR NIV single tube assay was used as gold slandered. The panels of known positives and negatives were prepared. Validation of commercially developed RT-PCRs, RNA extraction kits and virus transport medium were undertaken. The sensitivity and specificity of the kit were calculated and reported as per ICMR's acceptance. Result(s): Real time RT-PCR kits evaluation: Total 165 kits were evaluated, which includes 12 LAMP assay. Among domestic kits, 31 kits were satisfactory while 83 were not satisfactory. Among the imported kits, 25 kits were satisfactory while 26 were not satisfactory. RNA extraction kits evaluation:- Total 157 kits were evaluated, Among domestic kits, 57 kits were satisfactory while 53 were not satisfactory. Among the imported kits, 31 kits were satisfactory and 17 were not satisfactory. VTM kits evaluated = Total 89 kits were evaluated among which nine kits were imported while 80 kits were of domestic origin. Performance of 10 kits was not satisfactory. Conclusion(s): Kit validation is important to access the quality of commercial kits and to enhanced the testing capacity exponentially in country.
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SARS-CoV-2 infected cases diagnosis is based on the count of realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The widely used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) method has some limitations for clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, there are only few reports on the detection of the viral load in the stool and urine samples. While information about other modes of transmission is relatively less, some published literature supporting the possibility of a faecal-oral mode of transmission has been accumulating. Objective(s): The current study's objective was to assess the performance of real-time RT-qPCR assay and a droplet digital RT-PCR (dd RT-PCR) for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in stool and urine specimens. Methodology: One hundred and seven paired samples from 107 COVID-19-confirmed patients were analysed by dd RT-PCR and RTPCR based target gene (N1 and N2). Stool and urine were collected from COVID Care Centers of Pune Region. RNA was isolated using MagMax magnetic beads base procedure for further analysis. Real Time RT-PCR and DD PCR was performed from all the patients. Result(s): In 107 patients, all the stool samples showed 100% positive concordance by both methods, the average of 28.88 cycle threshold (Ct) of RT-PCR was highly correlated with the average copy number of 327.10 copies/mul analyzed in ddPCR. Whereas 27.1% urine samples were tested positive in ddPCR & 1.86% were positive with the average of 36.41 cycle threshold (Ct) in RT-PCR. Using Pangolin COVID-19 Lineage Assigner variants were analyzed and found to be delta prevalent. Conclusion(s): In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental surveillance for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 has become increasingly important. The findings of this study not only show that SARS-CoV-2 is present in urine and faeces, but they also raise the possibility that low concentrations of the viral target may make it easier to identify positive samples and help resolve situations of inconclusive diagnosis.
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Background: It is well knowledge that various viral illnesses may interfere with a man's ability to father children. Through the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor, which is highly concentrated in testicular tissue, the corona virus illness known as COVID-19 may cause harm to several organs. On the other hand, there is a paucity of data about the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in sperm, as well as the virus's influence on spermatogenesis and the capacity for fertility. We intended to look into whether or not COVID-19 guys' sperm contained SARS-CoV-2 as well as examine how COVID-19 affected the overall quality of the sperm and the degree to which it's DNA was fragmented. Material(s) and Method(s): The survey was conducted between May 2022 to October 2022, with the participation of 40 male COVID-19 patients who were between the ages of 19 and 45 and enrolled at the RSDKS, Government Medical College, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. We tested each sample of sperm with a real-time reverse transcriptase and found no abnormalities. At the time of the initial sample, which took place during COVID-19, a comprehensive examination of the sperm was carried out. This analysis included the calculation of the sperm DNA Fragmentation Index. After 74 days had passed since the first sample, we were able to get the second specimen and carried out the aforementioned tests once again. Result(s): All of the sperm samples that were examined using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) came back negative for SARS-CoV-2. These samples were taken during the first and second sampling. The initial sample had considerably lower levels of fructose, semen volume, vitality, total motility, sperm concentration, total sperm count, percentage of normal morphology, and cytoplasmic droplet percentage than the subsequent samples. On the other hand, the agglutination of the semen, the percentage of head defects, the DNA Fragmentation Index, the liquefaction time, the viscosity of the semen, and the number of leukocytes all rose. At the second sample, these results were inverted, but not to the level that would be considered optimal. These results all had a p-value less than 0.05, meaning they were statistically significant. As a result, COVID-19 has a detrimental impact on the characteristics of the sperm, including the sperm DNA fragmentation index. Conclusion(s): The quality of the semen remained low up until the second time it was sampled, despite the fact that we were unable to discover SARS-CoV-2 in the sample. It is recommended that assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and sperm banking facilities evaluate the quality of the sperm produced by males infected with COVID-19 and exclude men who have a history of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 until the men's sperm quality recovers to normal.Copyright © 2023 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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Background: Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 tend to shed viable virus for a prolonged period. Therefore, for moderately or severely immunocompromised patients with COVID-19, CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 20 days and ending isolation in conjunction with serial testing and consultation with an infectious disease specialist. However, data on viral kinetics and risk factors for prolonged viral shedding in these patients are limited. Method(s): From February 1, 2022 to April 1, 2022, we collected weekly saliva samples from immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Genomic and subgenomic RNAs were measured, and virus culture was performed. Result(s): A total of 41 patients were enrolled;29 (70%) were receiving chemotherapy against hematologic malignancies and the remaining 12 (30%) had undergone solid organ transplantation. Of the 41 patients, 14 (34%) had received 3 doses or more of COVID-19 vaccines. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that 7 (17%) were infected with Omicron BA.1, and 33 (80%) with Omicron BA.2. The median duration of viable virus shedding was 4 weeks (IQR 3-6). Patients undergoing B-cell depleting therapy shed viable virus for longer than the comparator (p=0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that 3-dose or more vaccination (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12 - 0.93, p = 0.04) and B-cell depleting therapy (HR 12.50, 95% CI 2.44 - 100.00, p = 0.003) independently affected viable virus shedding of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 shed viable virus for median 4 weeks. B-cell depleting therapy increases the risk of prolonged viable viral shedding, while completion of a primary vaccine series reduces this risk. Overall distribution of samples according to genomic viral copy number and culture positivity. Red dot indicates positive culture results, whereas blue dot indicated negative culture results. (Figure Presented).
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Pulmonary parenchymal involvement secondary to the subcutaneous injection of silicone gels is an unusual condition which occurs more frequently in women aged between 22 and 55 years. Although different theories have been put forward about its etiology, it is unknown and the condition may cause local and systemic complications and even have a fatal outcome. Few cases have been reported in South America and there is no report of this unique entity in Peru. We present the case of a previously healthy 28-year-old male transgender patient who, after an illegal subcutaneous injection of silicone gels in the gluteal region given by a non-healthcare professional, showed progressive respiratory distress and stabbing chest pain of approximately 7 out of 10 on the pain scale within the first 24 hours. Upon admission to the emergency room, respiratory failure was objectively evidenced since the patient had an oxygen saturation of 72 % at a FiO2 of 21 %, as well as pulmonary parenchymal involvement both in the CT scan and chest X-ray with signs highly suggestive of this pathology. Using a SARS-CoV-2 RNA real-time RT-PCR test performed on a respiratory specimen, COVID pneumonia, immunodeficiency disorders and pulmonary embolism were ruled out. Since there is no standard treatment, the patient was given relevant support measures such as the administration of supplemental oxygen at a low flow rate by binasal cannula, intravenous systemic corticosteroids and antibiotic therapy, thus achieving good progress with resolution of the initial clinical presentation. Then, after 10 days of intrahospital treatment, the patient was discharged.Copyright © La revista. Publicado por la Universidad de San Martin de Porres, Peru.
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Objectives: The Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (Panbio COVID-19 Ag, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics) is a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay targeting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleoprotein in nasopharyngeal specimens for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to verify the performance of the Panbio COVID-19 Ag for implementation in clinical laboratories. Method(s): Sixty nasopharyngeal swab specimens (30 positive and 30 negative) dipped in transport medium, and COVID-19 was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR using Allplex SARS-CoV-2 assay (Seegene), were tested using the Panbio COVID-19 Ag. Reproducibility was evaluated using positive and negative control materials. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the results of realtime RT-PCR as the standard test method. Result(s): Reproducibility was confirmed by the consistent results of repeated tests of the quality control materials. The overall sensitivity and specificity of Panbio COVID-19 Ag were 50.0% and 100.0%, respectively. Panbio COVID-19 Ag demonstrated high sensitivity (88.2%) in analyzing the detection limit cycle threshold (Ct) value of 26.67 provided by the manufacturer as a positive criterion, and the sensitivity was 100.0% for the positive criterion of Ct values <25, although it was less sensitive for Ct > 25. Conclusion(s): Considering the high sensitivity for positive samples with Ct values <25 and the rapid turnaround of results, Panbio COVID-19 Ag can be used in clinical laboratories to diagnose COVID-19 in limited settings. Copyright © 2023 Ewha Womans University College of Medicine and Ewha Medical Research Institute.
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Almost eight million people were affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak until now. The understanding of the disease has not fully emerged, but recent studies showed that thromboembolic events are frequently seen in this unique patient group as a contributor to mortality. A 65-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath and fever for three days. Physical examination was notable with tachypnea and right lower extremity edema. The bedside ultrasound evaluation showed right-sided non-compressible common femoral vein with thrombus, and her laboratory was remarkable with a high D-dimer value (39.4 mug/dl). Finally, the patient was sent to the radiology unit for pulmonary computed tomography angiography, revealing filling defects at the pulmonary arteries and parenchymal findings that are consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia and pulmonary embolism (PE). Here, we presented a case of venous thromboembolism without any risk factor but COVID-19 pneumonia. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first cases reported in the literature diagnosed as COVID-19 pneumonia simultaneously with PE and deep vein thrombosis in the ED. Eventually, physicians should be vigilant about the occult pathologies associated with the novel coronavirus infection.Copyright © 2023, Kuwait Medical Association. All rights reserved.