RT-PCR Combined with CT Examination in the Diagnosis and Prognosis Evaluation of COVID-19 Patients in Fangcang Hospital: A Case Series

• Main Authors: Zhang JF, Liu J, Ma HN, Feng K, Chen ZW, Yang LS, Mei B, Zhang JJ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-01-01
• Series: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Subjects: case report; covid-19; ct; fangcang hospital
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/rt-pcr-combined-with-ct-examination-in-the-diagnosis-and-prognosis-eva-peer-reviewed-article-JMDH

Jun-Fei Zhang,1,* Jia Liu,2,* Han-Ning Ma,1 Ke Feng,1 Zhong-Wei Chen,1 Li-Shan Yang,1 Bin Mei,3 Jun-Jian Zhang4 1Department of Emergency Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750000, People’s Republic of China; 2Medical Experiment Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Social Medical Development, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Zhong-Wei Chen; Li-Shan Yang Email [e-mail]; [e-mail]: Currently, the “gold standard” is real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of the viral DNA for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. However, early reports of test performance in the Wuhan outbreak showed variable sensitivities. Therefore, the simple use of RT-PCR as a discharge standard for COVID-19 patients may be risky. Early discussions suggested that CT should be the preferred modality for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, the use of CT for COVID-19 discharge is controversial. In the Fangcang hospital, we performed multiple nucleic acid tests and chest CT examinations in all patients. For discharged patients, we performed multiple nucleic acid tests and chest CT scans on the basis of discharge standards to minimize the incidence of false negatives in nucleic acid tests.Patient Concerns: Two 42-year-old male patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 were treated in the Fangcang Hospital According to the treatment, one patient was cured and discharged, while the other patient was sent to a higher-level hospital for further treatment.Diagnoses: Real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction amplification of the viral DNA for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.Interventions: The patients received Chinese medicine and antiviral treatment in the Fangcang Hospital.Outcomes: At follow-up, both patients were cured after treatment and returned to normal life after 2 weeks of home isolation and a negative nucleic acid test.Lessons: The use of nucleic acid testing combined with chest CT examination can quickly diagnose patients with COVID-19 infection and evaluate their treatment in the Fangcang Hospital.Keywords: case report, COVID-19, CT, Fangcang Hospital