A preliminary case series comparison of chest computerized tomography scan and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for COVID-19 contact tracing in developing countries with limited resources
Novelty in Biomedicine,
Vol. 10 No. 4 (2022),
2 December 2022
,
Page 207-212
https://doi.org/10.22037/nbm.v10i4.37938
Abstract
Background: Imaging and PCR each have a role in detecting and implementing precautionary measures in
isolating individuals with a history of close contact, which helps limit the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to
developing countries' difficulties, PCR is limited in Iran. This study seeks to determine the feasibility of early
low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) scans substitution with PCR.
Materials and Methods: Asymptomatic participants with a history of close contact with a confirmed case of
COVID-19 were enrolled and followed for one week, receiving 2 PCR tests within one week. Initially, a chest
CT scan was performed. The second CT scan was performed within one week on two participants. Participants
with an initially negative CT scan and participants with a first CT scan compatible with COVID-19 who became
symptomatic.
Results: All Participants had an RT-PCR and at least one CT scan. Positive RT-PCR results were reported in
6 and 9 participants initially and within one week, respectively. Chest CT scans favoring COVID-19 infection
were initially reported in 4 and 6 participants within one week, respectively. Seventeen participants showed
neither symptoms nor positive RT-PCR or chested CT scans favoring COVID-19. Thirteen participants either
had positive RT-PCR, a COVID-19 chest CT scan or became symptomatic.
Conclusion: Rapid detection of COVID-19 and subsequent quarantining is crucial in the global fight against
this pandemic. Our results showed lower sensitivity for chest CT scans compared to COVID-19 PCR,
suggesting that chest CT scans are unsuitable for COVID-19 PCR tests.
- COVID-19, CT Scan, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Contact Tracing
How to Cite
References
Chen N, Zhou M, Dong X, Qu J, Gong F, Han Y, et al.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel
coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. The
lancet. 2020;395(10223):507-13.
Kwee TC, Kwee RM. Chest CT in COVID-19: what the radiologist
needs to know. RadioGraphics. 2020;40(7):848-1865.
Nicola M, O'Neill N, Sohrabi C, Khan M, Agha M, Agha R.
Evidence based management guideline for the COVID-19 pandemicReview article. International Journal of Surgery. 2020;77:206-16.
Martinez-Fierro ML, Ríos-Jasso J, Garza-Veloz I, Reyes-Veyna L,
Cerda-Luna RM, Duque-Jara I, et al. The role of close contacts of
COVID-19 patients in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission: an emphasis on
the percentage of nonevaluated positivity in Mexico. American Journal
of Infection Control. 2021;49(1):15-20.
Radiology AC. ACR Recommendations for the use of Chest
Radiography and Computed Tomography (CT) for Suspected COVID-
Pourhossein B, Dabbagh A, Fazeli M. Anesthesia M. Insights into
the SARS-CoV2 Outbreak; the great global challenge: A mini
review. 2020;5(1):23-6.
Green K. What is the role of imaging and biomarkers within the
current testing strategy for the diagnosis of Covid-19? 2020.
Tang YW, Schmitz JE, Persing DH, Stratton CW. Laboratory
diagnosis of COVID-19: current issues and challenges. Journal of
clinical microbiology. 2020;58 (6):e00512-20.
Wölfel R, Corman VM, Guggemos W, Seilmaier M, Zange S,
Müller MA, et al. Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with
COVID-2019. Nature. 2020;81(7809):465-9.
Ai T, Yang Z, Hou H, Zhan C, Chen C, Lv W, et al. Correlation of
chest CT and RT-PCR testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
in China: a report of 1014 cases. Radiology. 2020;296(2):E32-E40
- Abstract Viewed: 158 times
- pdf Downloaded: 200 times