Evaluation of the Omicron variant by RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing (ExacTest™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test)

Purpose: The present study aims to compare the results of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (ExacTest™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test in samples of people suspected of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and methods: Among the samples submitted between January 2022 and March 2022 with suspicion of COVID-19, 299 samples subject to simultaneous COVID-19 RADT (Rapid Antigen Detection Test) and RT- PCR were evaluated retrospectively. The Real-Time PCR test was studied with the DS CORONEX COVID-19 Multiplex Real time-qPCR Test Kit (DS Nano and Biotechnology Product Tracing and Tracking Co., Turkey) and the rapid antigen test was studied by the immunochromatographic method with ExacTest™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Cassette kit (General Diagnostica inc., California, USA). Ag-RDT test results were evaluated with the fluorescent immunoassay analyzer (FIATEST Analyzer, Hangzhou Alltest Biotech Co., Ltd. China). Results: RT-PCR test was positive in 53 (17.7%) samples. The RADT's sensitivity was found 88.7 (95% Cl 77.0-95.7), specificity 98.0 (95% Cl 95.3-99.3), positive predictive value 90.4 (95% Cl 79.7-95.8), negative predictive value 97.6 (95% Cl 95.0-98.8), and accuracy 96.3 (95% Cl 93.5-98.2). Sample sensitivities of patients under and over 18 years of age have been identified as 75 (95% Cl 19.4-99.4) and 89.8 (95% Cl 77.8-96.6), respectively. The sensitivity of patients with and without symptoms was 95.5 (95% Cl 77.2-99.9) and 83.9 (95% Cl 66.3-94.6), respectively. For samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) of <20, 20-<25, 25-<30 and 30-<35, the concordance of testing was 100%, 92.9%, 78.9% and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: The rapid antigen kit studied complies with the use criteria recommended by the World Health Organization and is quite useful for the rapid diagnosis of symptomatic patients in COVID-19. © 2022, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.

Monitoring SARS CoV-2 antibodies positivity in healthcare workers after inactivated CoronaVac vaccine

Introduction In this study, we aimed to monitor anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies positivity in healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with two doses of inactivated CoronaVac (Sinovac, China) vaccine. Methods Overall, 242 volunteer HCWs were included. Of the participants, 193 were HCWs without history of prior documented COVID-19 (Group 1), while 49 had history of prior documented COVID-19 before vaccination (Group 2). The participants were followed up for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies positivity at four different blood sampling time points (immediately before the second vaccine dose and at the 1st, 3rd months and 141-150 days after the second dose). We investigated the serum IgG class antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 RBD region and IgG class antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method using commercial kits. Results We found positive serum anti-RBD IgG antibody in 76.4% of the participants (71% in Group 1;98% in Group 2) 28 days after the first dose. When the antibody levels of the groups were compared at the four blood sampling time points, Group 2 anti-RBD IgG levels were found to be significantly higher than those in Group 1 at all follow-up time points. Although anti-RBD IgG positivity persisted in 95.6% of all participants in the last blood sampling time point, a significant decrease was observed in antibody levels compared to the previous blood sampling time point. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibody was positive in 12 (6.2%) of participants in Group 1 and 32 (65.3%) in Group 2 at day 28 after the first dose. At the fourth blood sampling time point, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were found to be positive in a total of 20 (9.7%) subjects, 10 (6.1%) in Group 1 and 10 (23.8%) in Group 2. Conclusions In this study, it was determined that serum antibody levels decreased in both groups after the third month after the second dose in HCWs vaccinated with CoronaVac vaccine.Copyright © GERMS 2022.

A META SYNTHESIS ON ARTICLES OF “EDUCATION IN TURKEY AND IN THE WORLD DURING PANDEMIC PERIOD” IN SPECIAL ISSUE OF NATIONAL EDUCATION JOURNAL

The coronavirus pandemic period, which has been on the agenda since the end of 2019 and has brought rapid change and transformation to all countries, continues to deeply affect every sector. The distance education practices, which were initiated compulsorily during the pandemic period, made it necessary to consider and examine the period from various angles;As a requirement of data-based management, various researches have been made and articles have been written on the subject. Concerning new processes in education in Turkey and in the world during the pandemic period, strategies for education and training after the pandemic, new teacher competencies and skills to be acquired by students, both distance and face-to-face education processes in the context of lifelong learning and issues that may be related to education during the pandemic period, the Journal of National Education published academic articles in a “Special Issue”. The purpose of this study is to make a general evaluation of the articles in the special issue of “Education in Turkey and the World in the Pandemic Period” of the Journal of National Education. 39 Special Issue articles were included in this study. According to the results obtained, MoNE’s institutional flexibility and human resources that can adapt quickly to change, the opportunity of distance education environments for some disadvantaged groups and parent participation were evaluated as advantages during the pandemic period. Lesson participation problems in the process, lack of motivation, measurement-evaluation method uncertainties, and the inability to teach applied lessons with the efficiency they should be are also seen as the disadvantages of the process. Despite the possible disadvantages of an unprepared situation, it has been a point agreed by all education stakeholders that the new educational environment gains will continue to exist in the future. According to the results of the articles, the strengths and weaknesses of the education system, its opportunities and threats were determined with the swot analysis logic. Various recommendations have been presented based on the findings. © 2022, Milli Egitim. All Rights Reserved.

COVID-19 Symptoms at First Admission to Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study is to profile the complaints in the disease application using a symptom survey in patients presenting with the suspicion of COVID-19 disease and to determine the disease-specific and descriptive characteristics of the initial symptoms in those who were diagnosed with the disease. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, symptoms at first admission were questioned in adult patients who applied to the Covid Outpatient Clinic between 21 December 2020 - 22 January 2021. A total of 43 complaints were analyzed in PCR test positive and negative patients. Results: 273 (62.0%) first application and 167 (38.0%) control applications were included in the study. The PCR test was positive in 16.5% of the first admissions. The most common complaints in the first admissions with positive PCR test were fatigue (73.0%), headache (64.9%), pain (32.2%), cough (56.8%), sore throat (51.4%), loss of appetite (45.9%) while 15.9% of them were asymptomatic. Odd's rates of significant complaints for PCR positivity were calculated as 2.607 for fever, 2.724 for anorexia, 2.051 for cough, 2.594 for loss of smell, and 2.243 for loss of strength. Conclusions: COVID-19 is a disease that affects many organs and systems. Comparing the admission symptoms with the PCR test results will contribute to the recognition of the disease at the initial stage. Fever, anorexia, cough, loss of smell and loss of strength were found to be the distinguishing complaints of PCR positivity in our study.

Duzce COVID 19 PCR tests are worked how, where and under which conditions? (Pandemi deneyimleri.) [Turkish]

Shortly after the first cases were reported in late 2019 in Wuhan Province of China, SARS CoV 2 spread all over the world and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 12, 2020. In Turkey the first case was in March 10, 2020 and March 25, 2020 in Duzce. Duzce University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, PCR laboratory was declared to be "T.C. Ministry of Health Duzce authorized Covid 19 PCR laboratory " in 28.03.2020. Samples are sent to our laboratory from all provincial and district hospitals, private hospitals and public health institutions in Duzce. This is the only Covid 19 center in our city and it works for 7 days a week. In our laboratory, Covid 19 antibody tests are carried out with card tests and ELISA methods. A total of 8500 COVID 19 PCR tests and 2200 anti Covid19 ELISA total antibody tests were studied in our laboratory within three months. Although covid 19 patients are not followed in our hospital, pandemic process continues in our laboratory. In addition, all PCR studies and IFA studies of the hospital are carried out in this laboratory.