RT-PCR FINDINGS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED WITH COVID-19 AT KULSUM INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE Late-breaking Abstract Posters SESSION TYPE Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON October 18-21, 2020 PURPOSE: There is pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. RT-PCR is done for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Purpose of this study to follow the dynamics of RT-PCR in patients with COVID-19 and determine average time taken by them to become RT-PCR SARS-CoV2 negative. METHODS: A retrospective study.60 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Kulsum Internationl Hospital were included. Demographic characteristics of the patients were collected like age and gender. Clinical characteristics such as date of onset (defined as the first date when the clinical symptoms were reported), date of admission and date of discharge were recorded. SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR characteristics Nasal swabs were collected for the SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid detection in sequential time-points. Positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay is defined as the period from the date of onset of the symptoms to the date of last positive RT-PCR test result. Effective negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay is defined as the period from the date of onset of symptoms to the date of first negative RT-PCR test Confirmed case patient who had Nasal swab positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Upper respiratory specimens (throat and/or nasal swabs) were obtained and analyzed by realtime RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Period of viral infection and the contagious stage were analyzed. RESULTS: A total 68 patients were enrolled. Median age was 55.5 years (IQR 50 – 65 range 21 – 85). Among them 56 were male (82.4%) and 12(17.6%) were female. The total number of SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR assay from 68 patients was 162, with 2.4 tests per patient. The median duration from onset of symptoms to first RT-PCR assay was 7 days (IQR 5.5 – 9;range 3 – 5 days). All patients presenting at 0-7 days of symptoms were tested positive. Whereas positive rate of RT-PCR assay was 64.3 %, 20.9% and 12.5 % at day 8-14, day 15-21 and >21 days respectively. We studied the dynamic profile of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR that shows a comparatively longer duration for onset of symptoms to a negative PCR in positive patients of age > 65 years. They had longer duration of illness;however, the difference was not statistically significant. Also, male patients had a significantly longer median duration from onset to negative test results as compared to female patients. (Median 16 days, IQR 14.75 – 20 days, Range 12 – 21 days, p value 0.03) CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that average contagious period of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients was 16 days. This period was prolonged in patients with age more than 65 years so longer followups are required in this age group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS In older population a prolong period of isolation may be required. DISCLOSURES no disclosure on file for Muhammad Sajid Abbasi;No relevant relationships by Nadir Ali, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shazli Manzoor, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by rukhsana Manzoor, source=Web Response