[Study of laboratory characteristic of 4 patients with sporadic severe acute respiratory syndrome in 2004].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the laboratory characteristics of patients with sporadic severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China.


METHODS
The laboratory findings of the 4 cases with SARS occurring in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, in 2004 were analyzed and compared with that during epidemic.


RESULTS
Leukopenia and lymphocytopenia were seen in all the patients. Two patients had slightly decreased peripheral blood T lymphocyte count. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels increased slightly in 3 patients. No hypoxemia was seen in all the patients. Both SARS-IgM and IgG sero-conversion occurred earlier in all the patients with the titer increased more than 4-fold shortly. Neutralization test was positive in all the patients. SARS coronary virus (SARS-CoV) RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in pharyngeal swabs only in 1 patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The 4 sporadic SARS patients in 2004 have milder manifestations, shorter course of disease with no complications during an epidemic, compared with patients seen previously. The change in laboratory findings is less than that, which might be attributable to milder virulence of the SARS-CoV. The antibody appears earlier in these patients. The SARS-CoV is eliminated rapidly.
Guan
Yu-juan
YJ
The Eighth People's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong, China. zhouguand@hotmail.com
Tang
Xiao-ping
XP
Zhang
Fu-chun
FC
Chen
Yan-qing
YQ
Yin
Chi-biao
CB
Li
Yi-min
YM
Zhong
Nan-shan
NS
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*