Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in COVID-19 Infections

ObjectivesTo compare the clinical characteristics between the rapid cohort and the normal cohort of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in COVID-19 infections, analyze the variables with significant differences, and explore the influencing factors of rapid ESR. MethodsSelected a total of 80 patients with ESR detection during hospitalization were measured in 146 patients who received medical observation in concentrated isolation hospital in Guizhou province in China, collected and compared demographic information, epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory test data and CT image data during the observation between rapid cohort and normal group of ESR. ResultsBy comparison, the proportion of male in the rapid cohort was higher than female. The average age was more than 35 years old, with a large age gap. The proportion of severe and critical patients was more than 26.53% (13/49). However, in the normal cohort the proportion of female was more than male, and the average age was about 8 years lower than the rapid cohort, and the age gap was smaller. The proportion of severe and critical patients was 12.90%, which was less than half of the rapid group. In the two groups, the proportion of clustered cases accounted for more than 50%, and the average number of patients in one family was more than 3. The most common clinical symptoms were cough, sputum, fever, sore throat and weakness of limbs. There were significant differences in ALT, {gamma}-GT and C-reactive protein between the rapid and normal cohort (P<0.05), but no statistically significant in other indicators. Hemoglobin and C-reactive protein have a significant effect on erythrocyte sedimentation rate. ConclusionsIn this study, we found that ESR is related to Hemoglobin and C-reactive protein. (Funded by Science and Technology Department of Guizhou Province; Chinese ClinicalTrials.gov number, ChiCTR2000033346. opens in new tab.)

Treatment of 6 COVID-19 Patients with Convalescent Plasma

ObjectiveTo describe the efficacy of convalescent plasma transfusion for COVID-19 patients. MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 6 COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma at Guizhou Provincial Jiangjunshan Hospital - a tertial hospital, in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, from January 29, to April 30, 2020; final data of follow-up was May 12, 2020. Through the review of the electronic medical records of Guizhou Jiangjunshan Hospital, clinical data of 6 patients were obtained. Three patients with worsening symptoms after empirical treatment with antivirals were transfused convalescent plasma therapy for the first treatment, while the other three severe or critical COVID-19 patients with rapid progression were transfused. The efficacy of convalescent plasma depends on the relief of symptoms, changes in laboratory indicators and chest imaging abnormalities. ResultsThe PaO2 / FiO2 and lymphocyte count of patients 1, 2 and 3 treated with convalescent plasma treatment for the first treatment period were changed from abnormal to normal. The levels of inflammation markers CRP and IL-6 of the patients decreased significantly. Chest imaging examination showed that the lung lesions gradually subsided. The relapsed patients (No. 4 and No. 6), after using convalescent plasma therapy, turned negative on two consecutive throat swab tests on Day 24 and Day 3, respectively. ConclusionsConvalescent plasma treatment of COVID-19 is beneficial for those patients with be difficult to turn to negative or re-positive RT-PCR. Key PointsConvalescent plasma treatment of COVID-19 is beneficial for those patients with be difficult to turn to negative or re-positive RT-PCR.

Leukopenia of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infections under 18 Years Old in Recovery Stage

ObjectivesIn December, 2019, a type of novel coronavirus which was designated novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV) by World Health Organization (WHO) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei, China. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of those patients under 18 years old in the recovery stage are limited. To compare the difference of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 involving 25 patients under 18 years old in recovery stage between confirmed and asymptomatic infections. MethodsRetrospective, single-center cohort study of COVID-19 involving 25 patients under 18 years old in the recovery stage at Guizhou Provincial Staff Hospital in Guiyang, China, from January 29, to March 31, 2020; final date of follow-up was April 22. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and treatment data were collected and analyzed. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 infections and asymptomatic infections were compared. ResultsAmong the 25 COVID infections under 18 years old, 16 (64%) were mild or moderate confirmed cases, and 9 (36%) were asymptomatic. The shortest treatment period was 6 days, the longest 26 days, and the average treatment period 14 days. Four cases (44.4%) had visited Wuhan or had a living story in the city. There were 9 (100%) asymptomatic cases were familial cluster outbreak, with an average infection number was 6 cases among all families. The number of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections with leukopenia were significantly more than confirmed cases (p=0.04). ConclusionsLeukopenia mostly occurred in asymptomatic COVID-19 infections under 18 years old compared with the confirmed patients. Key PointIn this single-center case series involving 25 cases under 18 years old with COVID-19 infections, leukopenia mostly occurred in asymptomatic infections.