ABSTRACT
Background: Post-viral anosmia is responsible for more than 40% of cases of anosmia. Anosmia has been a neglected symptom in the primary healthcare setting until the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection highlighted new atypical symptoms of the disease, including anosmia, which has become one of the diagnostic symptoms of the disease, and epidemiological concern. We aimed to detect the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within patients presented with anosmia and to test for other respiratory viruses in the negative COVID-19 patients. We also detected the recovery of anosmia and IgM/IgG against COVID-19. We prospectively included 60 outpatients with the major complaint of anosmia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were done for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR, and if negative, PCR to other respiratory pathogens was tested. After one month, we inquired about the recovery of smell loss together with testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Result(s): Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Forty-six patients (76.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive and 14 (23.3%) were negative. Rhinovirus was the commonest isolated pathogen in the negative cases (5/14). Complete recovery of anosmia occurred in 34 patients (56.7%), while partial recovery in 24 (40.0%), and no recovery in 2 patients (3.3%). The median time to complete recovery was 10 days. 28.3% (13/46) of the patients showed negative antibody response for both IgG and IgM. Conclusion(s): Sudden-onset anosmia is a symptom that is highly predictive of being COVID-19-infected. While recovery is expected within 2 weeks, some patients have no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the incidence and natural course of otorhinolaryngological symptoms of COVID-19 infection and its relations to each other and patient's demographics. Method(s): This is a prospective study conducted on symptomatic adult patients proven to be infected with COVID-19. Detailed history was taken from each patient including onset of symptoms. Symptoms were followed up tightly. We focus on otorhinolaryngological (ORL) symptoms and their duration and onset in relation to other symptoms. Data were collected and analyzed in detail. Result(s): Six-hundred eighty-six patients were included in the study, their age ranged from 19-75 years old, and of them 55.1% were males. Cough was found in 53.1% of cases followed by sore throat in 45.8%, anosmia/ hyposmia in 42.3%, headache in 42%, rhinorrhea in 19.5%, dry mouth in 7.6%, globus in 6.1%, epistaxis in 4.4%, and hearing loss in 0.6%. In non-ORL symptoms, fever was found in 54.2%, malaise in 55.1%, dyspnea in 49.3%, and diarrhea in 27.2%. The first symptom was anosmia in 15.7% of cases, sore throat in 6.1 %, cough in 7.9%, and headache in 13.4% of cases. Fever was the first symptom in 22.7%, malaise in 25.1%, and diarrhea in 6.4%. Headache occurred for 5.5 +/- 2 days, anosmia/hyposmia 3 to > 30 days, sore throat 4.1 +/- 1.2 days, rhinorrhea 4.3 +/- 1.1, cough 7.4 +/- 2.5 days, fever 4.7 +/- 2 days, and malaise 6.5 +/- 2.4 days. The cluster of COVID-19-related symptoms showed nine principal components. Conclusion(s): Otorhinolaryngological symptoms are main symptoms in COVID-19 infection, and they should be frequently evaluated to detect suspected cases especially in pauci-symptomatic patients and to properly manage infected patients.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Covid-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome, the disease presents with a ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptomatic illness with multiple organ failure and death, and can cause a severe effect on the coagulation system. This study aimed to determine the effect of the covid 19 on the extrinsic and intrinsic pathway of coagulation [prothrombin time(PT), international normalized ratio (INR), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)] and to determine the association of age and gender with the severity of COVID-19 in Sudan in order to improve the outcome. A cross-sectional study carried out among 487 COVID-19 patients attending Khartoum State. COVID-19 patients were confirmed by RT-PCR. For all patients, the prothrombin times (PT), International normalized ratio (INR), and Activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) were estimated by using a semi-automated coagulometer analyzer. Patients were divided into three subclass groups according to the Severity of COVID-19 (mild, severe in the emergency room) (ER) and intensive care unit (ICU), and the clotting factors values were compared between the groups. The results were statically analyzed by spss version 21 for data analysis. These results showed statistically significant increased Levels of PT, INR, and APTT for all (P. value = 0.000), compared to the control group. Also, the levels of coagulation tests were higher in ICU COVID-19 patients (P. value = 0.000) compared to mild and severe subgroups. This study concluded that: coagulation clotting times were increased in COVID-19 patients, especially among patients in ICU which could be a marker for DIC and even death.
ABSTRACT
Background: Early diagnosis of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for disease treatment and control. Compared to Real-time Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), chest computed tomography (CT) scan imaging may be a more practical and rapid method to diagnose and assess COVID-19, especially in the pandemic. Aim: To conduct a meta-analysis study regarding the sensitivity of chest CT scan in detecting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients and Methods: Using MEDLINE database (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), Google Scholar and Scopus, we conducted a systematic search to identify relevant studies published within the last 6 months (from November 2019 till 20th of April 2020), appropriate articles were accessed in full text to determine eligibility and extract data by two reviewers. Results: Fifteen retrospective studies were included, and their results were pooled in this meta-analysis. Chest CT scan showed positive finding in 2714 out of 3130 scanned patients. Sensitivity of the chest CT scan for diagnosis of COVID-19 could be extracted from all studies ranging from 0.61-0.99. There was considerable heterogeneity across studies. There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: Chest CT scan can provide a speedy and effective method to early recognize suspicious COVID-19 cases, contributing to reduction of cross infection due to its great sensitivity. But we should be cautious during interpreting these results since established available information about COVID-19 are rapidly evolving all over the world, in addition, most of the published information are incomplete. © 2021, Egyptian Society of Ear Nose Throat and Allied Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions among hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-infected patients is highly variable between different studies, ranging from 5.6% in the Asian population to 86% in the European population. The study aimed to detect the prevalence and the recovery of olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in an Egyptian tertiary care center. A total of 579 hospitalized patients were enrolled. Demographic data as well as upper respiratory tract symptoms including olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions and other risk factors were documented. Then the recovery of olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions after 6 months was followed up. Results: 50.6% had olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions (24.2% had a total smell and taste loss). A logistic regression analysis revealed a statistical significance between olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions and female gender and presence. Most patients (88.4%) reported partial or complete recovery during the 6 months (28.0% and 60.4%, respectively), while 11.6% of patients did not recover. The median time to start recovery was 3 days, and the median time to the best recovery was 22 days. Conclusions: Olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions should be recognized for early detection of COVID-19 infection. Most recovery of olfactory/gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 infection starts within 3 days and reaches the best recovery within 19 to 24 days. Female gender and the presence of general symptoms are associated with olfactory/gustatory dysfunctions in the hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: The most common manifestations of infection with COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, and body aches. The available evidence for successful and safe pharmacological therapy against COVID-19 has not yet been identified, and the possible evidence relates to many adverse reactions. Taste disorders, petechiae, desquamative gingivitis, unspecific oral ulcerations, xerostomia, and candidiasis are the oral manifestations related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main body of the : We reviewed the literature regarding the reported oral mucosal lesions in cases with confirmed COVID-19 infection together with presenting five cases with oral mucosal lesions associated with COVID-19 infection. Direct causal association between COVID-19 infection and oral mucosal lesions is still vague, hence further research is required. Conclusion: Oral examination is mandatory in cases with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.