April 20, 2020

Diagnosis of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): rRT-PCR or CT?

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Long et al compared the diagnosis value of CT vs real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) in 36 patients, reporting sensitivities of 97.2% and 83.3%, respectively, at the time of initial testing. Six patients were missed in the first round of rRT-PCR, indicating that this method may produce initial false negative results. The authors suggest that patients with typical CT findings of COVID-19 infection but negative rRT-PCR results should be isolated and rRT-PCR should be repeated to avoid misdiagnosis. 

Long et al. (Mar 25, 2020). Diagnosis of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): rRT-PCR or CT? Eur J Radiol.  https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.15.20066407