Does upper respiratory system infection or pneumonia affect PCR results in COVID-19?

Year 2021, Volume: 46 Issue: 3, 1018 - 1025, 30.09.2021

Tibel Tuna , Oguz Uzun , Yusuf Taha Gullu

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of PCR test positivity between suspected COVID-19 patients presenting with pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Materials and Methods: The records of 80 patients admitted to the Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital pandemic clinic suspected COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty patients hospitalized with high suspicion of COVID-19 were divided into URTI and pneumonia by evaluating their thorax CT (computed tomography) results and symptoms. Two experienced radiologists evaluated thoracic CT images taken to the patients. CT findings were classified as negative for typical appearance, indeterminate appearance, atypical appearance, and pneumonia. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, contact history, treatment, presenting symptoms and laboratory values of the patients were recorded.
Results: Data of 80 patients were analyzed in the study. It was observed that there were 29 patients (36.3%) with normal CT findings and URTI symptoms and 51 patients (63.7%) with typical COVID-19 pneumonia findings on CT. The risk of PCR test results positive was 6,6 times higher in those with URTI than those with pneumonia. Those without shortness of breath were found to have a positive risk of 6,5 times higher than those with shortness of breath.
Conclusion: Although PCR tests are negative in patients presenting with upper respiratory tract symptoms, if there are typical thoracic CT findings consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia, patients should be retested, and necessary measures should be taken to minimize the risk of transmission.

Keywords

Computed Tomography, COVID-19, diagnosis, PCR

Üst solunum yolu enfeksiyonu veya pnömoni, COVID-19 PCR sonuçlarını etkiler mi?

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, pnömoni ve üst solunum yolu enfeksiyonu (ÜSYE) kliniği ile başvuran şüpheli COVID-19 hastaları arasındaki PCR testi pozitifliğinin ilişkisinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Hastanesi pandemi kliniğine COVID-19 şüphesiyle yatırılan 80 hastanın kayıtları retrospektif olarak incelendi. COVID-19 şüphesi ile yatırılan 80 hasta, Toraks BT (Bilgisayarlı Tomografi) sonucu ve semptomları değerlendirilerek ÜSYE ve pnömoni olarak iki gruba ayrıldı. Hastalara çekilen Toraks BT görüntüleri, deneyimli iki radyolog tarafından değerlendirildi. BT bulguları, tipik görünüm, belirsiz görünüm, atipik görünüm ve pnömoni için negatif olarak sınıflandırıldı. Hastaların, demografik özellikleri, ek hastalıkları, temas öyküsü, verilen tedavi, geliş semptomları ve laboratuvar değerleri kaydedildi.
Bulgular: Çalışmada 80 hastanın verileri incelendi. Normal BT bulguları ve ÜSYE semptomları olan 29 hasta (%36.3) ve BT’de tipik COVID-19 pnömonisi bulguları olan 51 hasta (%63.7) olduğu gözlendiYapılan analiz sonucunda PCR pozitifliğine etki eden faktörler incelenmiş ve analiz sonucunda ÜSYE olanların pnömoni olanlara göre PCR test sonucunun pozitif çıkma riskinin 6,6 kat daha fazla olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Nefes darlığı olmayanların olanlara göre pozitif çıkma riski de 6,5 kat fazla bulunmuştur ).
Sonuç: Üst solunum yolu semptomları ile başvuran hastalarda PCR testleri negatif olsa da COVID-19 pnömonisiyle uyumlu tipik Toraks BT bulguları varsa hastalara tekrar test yapılmalı ve bulaş riskini en aza indirmek için gerekli önlemler alınmalıdır.

Keywords

Bilgisayarlı Tomografi, COVID-19, Tanı, PCR

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