Comparison of serologic and molecular SARS-CoV 2 results in a large cohort in Southern Tuscany demonstrates a role for serologic testing to increase diagnostic sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: Since February 2020, Italian hospitals registered COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) cases more often than the rest of the Europe. During this epidemic, health authorities requested swab tests, while seeking new patient paths. METHODS: A dual laboratory approach was evaluated, consisting of patient care reports for viral RNA detection on swabs and rapid serological tests in 516 patients (192 symptomatic or paucisymptomatic and 324 asymptomatic). RESULTS: We found the molecular positive fraction equal to 12% (23/192) among symptomatic/paucisymptomatic (S/P) and 15.4% (50/324) in asymptomatic (As) sets. Among subsets, we observed serologically positive results, corresponding to 35% (8/23) for S/P and 38% (19/50) for As. Among molecular negative cases, we detected specific Immunoglobulin G or M (Ig G or Ig M) positivity in the S/P cohort equal to 6.6% (11/167) and 6% (15/246) in As cases. For indeterminate molecular results, we found S/P serological positivity equal to 100% (1/1) and 54% (13/24) in As patients. We found higher (p < 0.05) seropositivity in older patients (n = 8) among symptomatic and positives for viral RNA (n.23). CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that a dual approach of serological and molecular tests detects a higher absolute number of disease cases in a pandemic context,which could improve monitoring and health surveillance efficacy. The age-related seropositivity frequency in this study, if confirmed, could enhance the validity of serological tests, especially in older patients.In these subjects, molecular positivity accompanied by serological positivity (distinct for M and G immunoglobulins) should help determine disease status and support decisions related to patient management.

[Caroli's syndrome in a patient on hemodialysis: diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties]. / Sindrome di Caroli in paziente emodializzato: difficoltà diagnostiche e terapeutiche.

We present the case of a 65-year-old male patient without any family history of renal or hepatic disease. He had been on maintenance hemodialysis for 4 months because of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. At the start of the hemodialysis session he reported general malaise, abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea occurring in the last two days. Laboratory workup showed neutrophilic leukocytosis and increased serum amylase and C-reactive protein. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scan and MRI cholangiography showed hepatic cysts with marked dilatation of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. The patient underwent cholecystectomy with hepaticojejunal Rouxen- Y anastomosis and was discharged with oral ciprofloxacin. Histology confirmed marked cystic dilatation of the bile ducts. Because of persistent episodes of septic fever, administration of ciprofloxacin was continued. After 4 months retrograde endoscopic pancreatography was performed which led to a diagnosis of Caroli's syndrome associated with polycystic kidneys. Given the rarity of the disease and its difficult diagnosis, when patients with polycystic kidneys and liver cysts experience recurrent episodes of septic fever of unknown origin, Caroli's disease should be taken into account and the appropriate tests should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis.