Clinical and Radiological Diagnosis of Non-SARS-CoV-2 Viruses in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Following the announcement of first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case on March 11, 2020, in Turkey we aimed to report the co-infection rates, and the clinical, laboratory, radiological distinctive features of viral pneumonia caused by viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 18 and 31 March 2020. COVID-19 suspected cases admitted to pandemic policlinic who had nasopharyngeal swab specimens tested for both SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viral pathogens were included. RESULTS: Within 112 patients SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 34 (30%). Among the non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses (n=25, 22%), metapneumovirus (n=10), was the most frequent agent. There were two co-infections with SARS-CoV-2. Sputum was less in the SARS-CoV-2 group (p=0.003). The leukocyte, lymphocyte, and thrombocyte count and C-reactive protein levels were lowest in the SARS-CoV-2 group (p<0.001, p=0.04, p<0.001, p=0.007 respectively). Peripheral involvement (80% vs. 20%, p=<0.001), pure ground-glass opacity (65% vs. 33%, p=0.04), apicobasal gradient (60% vs. 40%, p=0.08), involvement of ≥3 lobes (80% vs. 40%, OR:6.0, 95%CI,1.33-27.05, p=0.02) and consolidation with accompanying ground-glass opacity (4% vs. 33%, p=0.031) were more common in SARS-CoV-2 group. CONCLUSION: Some clinical, laboratory and radiological findings may help in the differential diagnosis of non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses from COVID-19. However, co-infections may occur, and a non-SARS-CoV-2 pathogen positivity does not exclude accompanying COVID-19. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.