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Published on: December 19, 2020
Clinical Characteristics, Serological and Radiological Longitudinal Changes of Patients with COVID-19
Insights
This study analyzed seven coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, finding that changes in lymphocytes, albumin, and globulin correlate with lung imaging. Monitoring these markers aids in assessing COVID-19 progression and severity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- The global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) necessitates understanding its clinical, serological, and radiological characteristics.
- Early identification and monitoring of COVID-19 patient changes are crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features, serological, and radiological changes in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients.
- To identify key indicators for assessing disease progression and severity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of seven laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted between January and March 2020.
- Evaluation of clinical symptoms, liver and renal function, procalcitonin levels, specific antibody detection, and pulmonary imaging.
Main Results:
- All patients had an epidemiological history; common symptoms included respiratory issues, with fever less frequent initially.
- Abnormal liver function was universal, while renal function and procalcitonin remained normal. Specific antibodies were detected 5-13 days post-symptom onset.
- Decreased lymphocytes, decreased albumin, and elevated globulin were observed, particularly in severe cases and those with progressing pulmonary lesions. Bilateral lung lesions were common.
Conclusions:
- Serum specific antibodies for COVID-19 are detectable within two weeks of symptom onset.
- Dynamic monitoring of blood lymphocytes, serum albumin, and globulin, alongside pulmonary imaging, aids in assessing COVID-19 patient status.
- These biochemical markers, when correlated with imaging, can provide valuable insights into disease severity and progression.
Background:
Since December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in Wuhan and rapidly spread globally. The speed and scope of the spread of COVID-19 makes it urgent to define clinical characteristics, serological and radiological changes of the affected patients.
Methods:
Seven patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University Yuedong Hospital from January 2020 to March 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and their clinical features, serological and radiological longitudinal changes were analyzed.
Results:
Among the 7 patients, all (100%) had a clear epidemiological history. The most common symptoms were respiratory symptoms 6 (85.7%), and only 2 (28.6%) of the patients had fever at their first visit. The cohort included 4 (57.1%) common types and 3 (42.9%) severe types. Two (28.6%) common type patients developed to severe type in a short time. All of the 7 patients (100%) had abnormal liver function, normal renal function, and normal procalcitonin. The detection time of specific antibody in 7 patients was 5 - 13 days after symptoms. Before the specific antibody could be detected, the absolute value of lymphocytes decreased in 2 (28.6%) common type cases transferred to severe type cases accompanied with obvious progress in pulmonary imaging. The phenomenon of decreased albumin and elevated globulin occurred in 6 patients (85.7%). The predominant pattern of lung lesions observed was bilateral (71.4%) and mainly near the pleura at the first diagnosis. Bilateral pulmonary involvement occurred in 6 cases (85.7%) during the course of disease. In 4 cases (57.1%) with obvious pulmonary lesions, the absolute value of lymphocytes decreased, albumin decreased, and globulin increased during the course of the disease.
Conclusions:
Serum specific antibodies can be detected within 2 weeks of onset. Close observation of the dynamic changes of absolute value of blood lymphocytes, serum albumin, and globulin which were related to pulmonary imaging changes in patients will contribute to assessment of COVID-19.
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