Coronavirus-positive nasopharyngeal aspirate as predictor for severe acute respiratory syndrome mortality.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has caused a major epidemic worldwide. A novel coronavirus is deemed to be the causative agent. Early diagnosis can be made with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharyngeal aspirate samples. We compared symptoms of 156 SARS-positive and 62 SARS-negative patients in Hong Kong; SARS was confirmed by RT-PCR. The RT-PCR-positive patients had significantly more shortness of breath, a lower lymphocyte count, and a lower lactate dehydrogenase level; they were also more likely to have bilateral and multifocal chest radiograph involvement, to be admitted to intensive care, to need mechanical ventilation, and to have higher mortality rates. By multivariate analysis, positive RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal aspirate samples was an independent predictor of death within 30 days.
Tsang
Owen Tak-Yin
OT
Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong.
Chau
Tai-Nin
TN
Choi
Kin-Wing
KW
Tso
Eugene Yuk-Keung
EY
Lim
Wilina
W
Chiu
Ming-Chi
MC
Tong
Wing-Lok
WL
Lee
Po-Oi
PO
Lam
Bosco Hoi Shiu
BH
Ng
Tak-Keung
TK
Lai
Jak-Yiu
JY
Yu
Wai-Cho
WC
Lai
Sik-To
ST
D000328:Adult; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000821:virology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*