ABSTRACT
We adopted the reverse transcriptase - loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) to detect SARS-Cov-2 in patient samples. Two primer sets for genes N and Orf1ab were designed to detect SARS-CoV-2, and one primer set was designed to detect the human gene Actin. We collected prospective 138 nasopharyngeal swabs, 70 oropharyngeal swabs, 69 saliva, and 68 mouth saline wash samples from patients suspected to have severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused by SARS-CoV-2 to test the RT-LAMP in comparison with the golden standard technique RT-qPCR. Accuracy of diagnosis using both primers, N5 and Orf9, was evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis was 96% (95% CI 87-99) and 85% (95% CI 76-91) in 138 samples, respectively. Accurate diagnosis results were obtained only in nasopharyngeal swab processed via extraction kit. Accurate and rapid diagnosis could aid COVID-19 pandemic management by identifying, isolating, and treating patients rapidly. HighlightsO_LINew nucleic acid amplification test for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 using the RT-LAMP C_LIO_LIN5 primer set showed mutations in strains of interest, such as the gamma strain (P.1) of SARS-CoV-2 C_LIO_LIWhen evaluated in combination N5 and Orf9 primer sets maintained high sensitivity and specificity C_LI
ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the prognostic and clinical profile of hospitalized patients with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection focusing on renal outcomes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including all patients with confirmed chikungunya fever (CHIKF) admitted to 3 different high-complexity hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil between January 2016 and June 2017. Data analysis was carried out to evaluate correlation between clinical profile and outcomes. Results: Fifty-five patients were included, with a median age of 77 (IQR=21) years, and 23 (41.82%) were male. Twenty-five patients (45.45%, 25/55) developed acute kidney injury (AKI), and 15 (60.00%, 15/25) were classified as KDIGO 1, 1 (4.00%) as KDIGO 2, and 9 (36.00%) as KDIGO 3. The overall mortality was 34.54% whilst AKI-related mortality was 64.00% (16/25). Both AKI and encephalitis were associated with higher mortality. Patients who died were significantly older [82 (IQR=12) years vs. 70 (IQR= 28.75) years, P<0.001)]. In the multivariate analysis, abdominal pain was associated with an increased risk of severe AKI (OR=5.33, 95% CI=1.11-25.64, P=0.037) and AKI was an independent risk factor of death (OR=12.06, 95% CI=2.55-57.15, P=0.002). Recovery of renal function was similar among the different age groups. Conclusions: AKI is present in half of the study population and is an independent risk factor of death. Thus, renal function should be carefully monitored in hospitalized patients with CHIKV infection.
ABSTRACT
Rationale: Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology, affecting mainly the lower motor neurons of the brachial plexus. Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by acute fever and polyarthritis/polyarthralgia. Patient concerns: A 54-year-old Brazilian male patient who presented with a 2-day history of fever (temperature 38.8 °C), arthralgia, erythematous rash, diffuse osteomuscular pain and headache, which evolved into left shoulder pain associated with morning stiffness. Diagnosis: Parsonage-Turner syndrome and chikungunya fever. Interventions: Symptomatic treatment (a combination of short-acting dypirone (500 mg every 6 h) and slow-release opioids (tramadol 100 mg every 4 h) and physiotherapy/rehabilitation with improvement. Outcomes: The patient was improved and discharged, remaining with symptomatic treatment and physiotherapy/rehabilitation. Lessons: To the best of our knowledge, there were no reports of Parsonage-Turner syndrome following chikungunya virus infection. Awareness of the possibility of this rare association is important. The present case report highlights the importance of awareness of this association as a new cause of morbidity in patients with chikungunya virus infection.
