This study aimed to evaluate the performance characteristics of a rapid antigen test developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza A virus (IAV), and influenza B virus (IBV) (flu) compared with those of the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) method. One hundred SARS-CoV-2, one hundred IAV, and twenty-four IBV patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by clinical and laboratory methods were included in the patient group. Seventy-six patients, who were negative for all respiratory tract viruses, were included as the control group. The Panbio™ COVID-19/Flu A&B Rapid Panel test kit was used in the assays. The sensitivity values of the kit were 97.5%, 97.9%, and 33.33% for SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV, respectively, in samples with a viral load below 20 Ct values. The sensitivity values of the kit were 16.7%, 36.5%, and 11.11% for SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV, respectively, in samples with a viral load above 20 Ct. The kit’s specificity was 100%. In conclusion, this kit demonstrated high sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 and IAV for viral loads below 20 Ct values, but the sensitivity values were not compatible with PCR positivity for lower viral loads over 20 Ct values. Rapid antigen tests may be preferred as a routine screening tool in communal environments, especially in symptomatic individuals, when diagnosing SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and IBV with high caution.

After receiving ethical permission, data were retrospectively obtained from the Hospital Automation System and Archives. Due to the retroactive nature of the investigation, written informed consent was waived.

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for pulmonary involvement by examining the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of children with COVID‐19. We performed a retrospective single‐center study of COVID‐19 in children treated at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey from December 2020 to June 2021. During the course of the study, 126 patients were evaluated, of whom 70/126 were male. The patients' ages ranged from 1 to 216 (mean, 4.73 ± 81.11) months. Fever (65.9%), cough (52.4%), and shortness of breath (18.3%) were the most common symptoms of COVID‐19. Ten patients required noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Sixty‐nine patients (54.8%) had pneumonia. Longer duration of fever, hospitalization, and the presence of cough were significantly associated with pulmonary involvement. Children with pneumonia had significantly higher levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and viral load, and significantly lower counts of lymphocytes and thrombocytes. The cutoff viral load, CRP, and procalcitonin values for predicting pulmonary involvement were 26.5 cycle threshold (Ct; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54–0.74; sensitivity, 0.65; specificity, 0.56; area under curve [AUC]: 0.647, p = 0.005), 7.85 mg/L (95% CI, 0.56–0.75; sensitivity, 0.66; specificity, 0.64; AUC = 0.656; p = 0.003) and 0.105 ng/ml (95% CI, 0.52–0.72; sensitivity, 0.55; specificity, 0.58; AUC = 0.626; p = 0.02), respectively. High CRP, procalcitonin levels, ESR, and viral load, and low lymphocyte and thrombocyte counts can predict pulmonary involvement in children with COVID‐19, so better management may be provided for good prognosis.

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an agent of the pandemic coronavirus disease-2019 . New variants that have emerged throughout these pandemic presented new challenges and made the disease control process even more difficult. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of variants on the progression of COVID-19 and add value to the medical literature by providing valuable information. Materials and Methods:The current study was designed as a retrospective and single-center study. Three thousand and a hundred and ninetythree patients whose SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests came positive between June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, were included in the study. Demographic data and the medical history of patients were collected and recorded. The statistical significance level sought was p<0.05.Results: Fifty percent of the cases were male and the mean age was 39.5 years. Among the variant types, the lowest median age was observed in the beta variant. Alpha is the most contagious SARS-CoV-2 variant, and the highest mortality was seen in the delta variant. Considering all SARS-CoV-2 variants, the most common patient complaints were dyspnea and fever. In fatal cases, blood pressure and saturation levels were low, whereas pulse rate and body temperature was higher. Additionally, compared to the non-fatal cases, the median age was higher in fatal cases, 39 years to 55 years. Most of the fatalities occurred in patients who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The mortality was low in people with double-dose vaccination, regardless of the variant types. Conclusion:In this study, SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant was found to be more contagious, and the delta variant appeared more fatal. Patients with delta variant could be at a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, meticulous patient care should be delivered to patients with the delta variants, no history of the double-dose of vaccination, patients with unstable vital parameters, and patients who were admitted to the ICU.

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) created unexpected impacts worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in pregnant women with maternal disease severity and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 55 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their newborn infants were included. The association between maternal viral load (tested by cycle threshold) and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes was examined. Results: Infants had a median gestational age of 38 (29 - 41) weeks and birth weight of 3200 (630 - 4570) grams. The median Ct value of pregnant women was 30 (20 - 37). No significant difference was detected among mild, moderate or severely ill pregnant women in terms of median Ct values (30, 28.5, and 30, respectively; P > 0.05). The median Ct value of pregnant women who gave preterm delivery was similar to those who had term delivery [30 (21 - 36) vs. 30 (25 - 35); P > 0.05]. The median Ct values were similar among pregnant women who died or survived [32.5 (30 - 34) vs. 30 (21 - 36); P > 0.05]. Preterm delivery rates and overall mortality were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Ct values, (r = 0.04, P > 0.05). No correlation was found between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal disease severity/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first one examining the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 viral load and maternal/neonatal outcomes. It was suggested that viral load may not have been used for predicting the severity of maternal disease and maternal/neonatal outcomes.