Why the study?
Distinguishing between COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can be difficult during flu and winter seasons, prompting evaluation of microorganisms and routine laboratory results in PCR-negative patients suspected of having COVID-19.
Do laboratory results differ between COVID-19-suspected PCR(-) patients with and without growth on a respiratory panel?
Do laboratory results differ between COVID-19-suspected PCR(-) patients with and without growth on a respiratory panel?
In COVID-19-suspected PCR(-) patients, elevated CRP and ferritin levels are associated with the presence of other respiratory viral and bacterial infections.
Other pathogens found in 56% of PCR-negative suspected COVID cases; observational data leaves open multiplex panel use in differentials.
Objective: The distinction between COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can be difficult during the flu and winter seasons. The aim of this study is to detect bacterial/viral microorganisms in nasopharyngeal swab samples and to evaluate routine laboratory results of patients with PCR (-) but suspected covid 19. Methods: Between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021, 78 patients who were hospitalized and followed up in the suspected Covid service were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those with and without growth on the respiratory panel. Laboratory, demographic and radiological data were compared between groups. Results: C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the group with growth on the respiratory panel compared to the group without growth (p= .05, p= .041, respectively). Reproduction was detected in nasopharyngeal swab samples taken in 56.4% of the patients. More than half of the patients were radiologically defined as CO-RADS 3. Conclusion: It should not be forgotten that other respiratory viral and bacterial infections that mimic the COVID-19 clinic are also commonly observed during this period.
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Hocanlı et al. (2023) studied this question.
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