Patient with Suspected COVID-19 Infection Tests Negative in Nasopharyngeal Swabs but is Confirmed by Laboratory Tests and Chest CT Scan: A Case Report
Patient with Suspected COVID-19 Infection Tests Negative in Nasopharyngeal Swabs but is Confirmed by Laboratory Tests and Chest CT Scan: A Case Report
Ayma Aftab, Samia Afzal* and Muhammad Idrees
ABSTRACT
Chest CT imaging can be helpful in early diagnosis of COVID-19 instead of relying on real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that can give false negative result. Nasopharyngeal samples from a 22 years old man were detected as negative for COVID-19 for consecutive three RT-PCR tests. Complete blood count (CBC), D-dimer, serum ferritin, eosinophil sedimentation rate (ESR) test, tuberculosis test, real time PCR and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were done to rule out the cause of flu like symptoms. HRCT reveals a haze area in the right perihilar region adjacent to medial part of horizontal fissure on the 3rd day of manifestation of symptoms. Radiological studies showed early consolidation of COVID-19 whereas RT-PCR showed negative results. Chest CT imaging is a highly sensitive technique that has also been used in detection of corona virus. This case study emphasizes the importance of HRCT for early and confirm diagnosis of COVID-19 whereas RT-PCR results can vary. This process may show negative results and is time consuming.
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