Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Retrospective testing of respiratory specimens for COVID-19 to assess for earlier SARS-CoV-2 infections in Alberta, Canada.
Kanji, Jamil N; Diggle, Mathew; Bulman, Dennis E; Hume, Stacey; Taylor, Sherry; Kelln, Rhonda; Haase, Shelagh; Tomaszewski, Robert; Walker, Christine; Pabbaraju, Kanti; Li, Vincent; Croxen, Matthew; Zelyas, Nathan; Hinshaw, Deena; Tipples, Graham.
  • Kanji JN; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Albert, Canada.
  • Diggle M; Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Bulman DE; Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Hume S; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Taylor S; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Kelln R; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Haase S; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Tomaszewski R; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Walker C; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Pabbaraju K; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Li V; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Croxen M; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Zelyas N; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Hinshaw D; Genetics and Genomics, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Tipples G; Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can ; 6(1): 10-15, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1234646
ABSTRACT

Background:

The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Alberta, Canada, was confirmed on March 5, 2020. Because the virus testing criteria had changed significantly over this time period, we wanted to ascertain whether previous cases of COVID-19 had been missed in the province.

Methods:

Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate specimens submitted for respiratory virus testing from December 1, 2019, through March 7, 2020, for undetected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections before the first confirmed case.

Results:

Testing of 23,517 samples (representing 23,394 patients) identified 1 patient positive for SARS-CoV-2. This specimen was collected on February 24, 2020, from a patient with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 who had recently returned from the western United States. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed this viral isolate belonged to lineage B.1. The epidemiology of this case is consistent with those of other early cases before sustained community transmission, which included a travel history outside of Canada.

Conclusion:

This exercise provides support that local public health pandemic planning was satisfactory and timely.
Historique Le premier cas de maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) en Alberta, au Canada, a été confirmé le 15 mars 2020. Puisque les critères de dépistage ont beaucoup évolué pendant cette période, les chercheurs voulaient vérifier si des cas antérieurs de COVID-19 avaient été omis dans la province. Méthodologie Les chercheurs ont procédé à l'évaluation rétrospective d'échantillons soumis en vue du dépistage d'un virus respiratoire entre le 1er décembre 2019 et le 7 mars 2020, afin de retracer les infections par le coronavirus 2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère (SARS-CoV-2) non décelées avant le premier cas confirmé. Résultats Le dépistage de 23 517 échantillons (représentant 23 394 patients) a fait ressortir un patient positif au SARS-CoV-2. Le prélèvement avait été effectué le 24 février 2020 chez un patient éprouvant des symptômes correspondant à la COVID-19 revenu récemment de l'ouest des États-Unis. L'analyse phylogénétique a confirmé que l'isolat viral appartenait à la lignée B.1. L'épidémiologie de ce cas est compatible avec celle des autres premiers cas précédant une transmission communautaire soutenue, qui incluait un voyage à l'extérieur du Canada.

Conclusion:

Cet exercice appuie la pertinence et la rapidité de la planification sanitaire locale de la pandémie.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Jammi-2020-0035

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Language: English Journal: J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Jammi-2020-0035