Problems of PCR diagnostics OF COVID-19.

To date, an adequate and timely assessment of the number of cases is the basis of effective measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard for confirming COVID-19. The purpose of the work: to analyze the experience of the city virological center of the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital (Botkin Hospital) for the examination for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by PCR in the period from 2020 to 2022. Materials and methods. The systematization of PCR studies on COVID-19 for the period 2020-2022 was carried out. A total of 221,901 people were examined, positive results were obtained in 55,372 (24.95%). Among the contingents of the examined patients, patients who underwent inpatient treatment at the Botkin Hospital, Conclusions. This study analyzed the possible causes of false-positive and false-negative PCR results. The correlation of the number of positive results with the dynamics of detection of new cases of COVID-19 in St. Petersburg during the 2020-2022 pandemic is shown. It has been established that the proportion of patients examined more than 3 times during the period of hospitalization remains significant. This fact requires the closest attention, given the high cost and laboriousness of PCR studies.Copyright © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

Рroblems of PCR diagnostics OF COVID-19

To date, an adequate and timely assessment of the number of cases is the basis of effective measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard for confirming COVID-19. The purpose of the work: to analyze the experience of the city virological center of the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital (Botkin Hospital) for the examination for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by PCR in the period from 2020 to 2022. Materials and methods. The systematization of PCR studies on COVID-19 for the period 2020-2022 was carried out. A total of 221,901 people were examined, positive results were obtained in 55,372 (24.95%). Among the contingents of the examined patients, patients who underwent inpatient treatment at the Botkin Hospital, Conclusions. This study analyzed the possible causes of false-positive and false-negative PCR results. The correlation of the number of positive results with the dynamics of detection of new cases of COVID-19 in St. Petersburg during the 2020-2022 pandemic is shown. It has been established that the proportion of patients examined more than 3 times during the period of hospitalization remains significant. This fact requires the closest attention, given the high cost and laboriousness of PCR studies. © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

Problems of PCR diagnostics OF COVID-19.

To date, an adequate and timely assessment of the number of cases is the basis of effective measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard for confirming COVID-19. The purpose of the work: to analyze the experience of the city virological center of the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital (Botkin Hospital) for the examination for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by PCR in the period from 2020 to 2022. Materials and methods. The systematization of PCR studies on COVID-19 for the period 2020-2022 was carried out. A total of 221,901 people were examined, positive results were obtained in 55,372 (24.95%). Among the contingents of the examined patients, patients who underwent inpatient treatment at the Botkin Hospital, Conclusions. This study analyzed the possible causes of false-positive and false-negative PCR results. The correlation of the number of positive results with the dynamics of detection of new cases of COVID-19 in St. Petersburg during the 2020-2022 pandemic is shown. It has been established that the proportion of patients examined more than 3 times during the period of hospitalization remains significant. This fact requires the closest attention, given the high cost and laboriousness of PCR studies.Copyright © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.

Risk of COVID-19 in newborns depending on the infection course in the mother.

The incidence of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) remains a global problem worldwide. However, the effect of COVID-19 on the course of pregnancy and the possibility of intrauterine infection are insufficiently investigated. Recent studies suggest the possibility of a transplacental transmission of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Goal: To analyze SARS-Cov-2 RNA detection cases in newborns and to study possible factors influencing the infection of newborns from mothers with COVID-19. Materials and methods. From March to August 2020, there were 64 births to women with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at the Botkin's Infection Disease Hospital. In 15 newborns, the diagnosis of COVID-19 was laboratory confirmed. In this study, the histories of 14 newborns and their mothers were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on the detection of SARS-Cov-2 RNA in a nasopharyngeal swab or in fecal samples. Results. Analysis of the histories of mothers showed that 4 (28.6%) patients had an asymptomatic disease. Three (21.4%) women had a severe course of COVID-19, 7 (50%) patients had a course of moderate severity. Fetal hypoxia was more common in women with severe or moderate course of COVID-19. In 6 (42.7%) newborns, a positive nasopharyngeal swab was obtained within 48 hours after birth. None of the women whose children were RNA-positive in the first two days had a severe form of the disease, and two patients had an asymptomatic disease. Conclusion. 1. The frequency of detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in newborns from mothers with COVID-19 (under mother-child separation) was 21.9%. 2. Infection of a newborn with SARS-CoV-2 is possible both with a severe course of the disease in the mother and with an asymptomatic course. 3. A caesarean section does not exclude the possibility of a newborn infection with SARS-CoV-2. 4. In newborns, in most cases, an asymptomatic course of COVID-19 is observed.Copyright © 2022 Interregional public organization Association of infectious disease specialists of Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad region (IPO AIDSSPbR). All rights reserved.

Risk of COVID-19 in newborns depending on the infection course in the mother.

The incidence of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) remains a global problem worldwide. However, the effect of COVID-19 on the course of pregnancy and the possibility of intrauterine infection are insufficiently investigated. Recent studies suggest the possibility of a transplacental transmission of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Goal: To analyze SARS-Cov-2 RNA detection cases in newborns and to study possible factors influencing the infection of newborns from mothers with COVID-19. Materials and methods. From March to August 2020, there were 64 births to women with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 at the Botkin's Infection Disease Hospital. In 15 newborns, the diagnosis of COVID-19 was laboratory confirmed. In this study, the histories of 14 newborns and their mothers were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was based on the detection of SARS-Cov-2 RNA in a nasopharyngeal swab or in fecal samples. Results. Analysis of the histories of mothers showed that 4 (28.6%) patients had an asymptomatic disease. Three (21.4%) women had a severe course of COVID-19, 7 (50%) patients had a course of moderate severity. Fetal hypoxia was more common in women with severe or moderate course of COVID-19. In 6 (42.7%) newborns, a positive nasopharyngeal swab was obtained within 48 hours after birth. None of the women whose children were RNA-positive in the first two days had a severe form of the disease, and two patients had an asymptomatic disease. Conclusion. 1. The frequency of detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in newborns from mothers with COVID-19 (under mother-child separation) was 21.9%. 2. Infection of a newborn with SARS-CoV-2 is possible both with a severe course of the disease in the mother and with an asymptomatic course. 3. A caesarean section does not exclude the possibility of a newborn infection with SARS-CoV-2. 4. In newborns, in most cases, an asymptomatic course of COVID-19 is observed.Copyright © 2022 Interregional public organization Association of infectious disease specialists of Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad region (IPO AIDSSPbR). All rights reserved.

Experience in managing severe and extremely severe COVID-19 in pregnant women

BACKGROUND: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, viral pneumonia is the leading clinical form of coronavirus infection and a significant cause of maternal mortality. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the course of severe and extremely severe forms of COVID-19, its impact on pregnancy and fetus, as well as on maternal mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 39 case histories of patients with severe and extremely severe COVID-19, which were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 22 pregnant women with a severe course of coronavirus infection and a favorable outcome. Group 2 comprised 17 pregnant women in whom complications caused by SARS-CoV-2 were fatal. RESULTS: More than 80% of patients with severe disease course had anaemia in pregnancy. The most significant clinical and anamnestic factors of adverse outcome were gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02), preeclampsia (p = 0.05), and oligoamnios (p = 0.01). Obesity in group 2 was twice more common. The clinical manifestations of the disease in the both study groups were dominated by fever, shortness of breath, weakness and dry cough. In patients with a fatal outcome at the height of the disease, the levels of leukocytosis, urea and lactate dehydrogenase were higher than in those who recovered (p = 0.05). Besides, the levels of alanine transferase and aspartate transaminase were twice as high as in pregnant women who recovered later. Patients in the both study groups required oxygen support as respiratory failure progressed. The vast majority of patients with severe and extremely severe forms of coronavirus infection were in the third trimester of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Women in the third trimester of pregnancy are more susceptible to severe and extremely severe COVID-19 with an unfavorable outcome. Gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia and oligoamnios are significant comorbidities that predispose to severe course and poor outcome in pregnant women and puerperas with COVID-19. The characteristic clinical manifestations of the severe course of coronavirus infection are shortness of breath and fever against a backdrop of significant damage to the lung tissue. A pronounced increase in hepatic enzymes and placental insufficiency is a harbinger of an unfavorable outcome as a manifestation of multiple organ failure. © 2022 by the authors.