Aim: In this study, the roles of biomarkers from a peripheral blood sample in the diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) patients who have visited the emergency room have been evaluated. Materials & methods: Peripheral blood parameters, systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio were compared in patients with and without confirmed COVID-19 infection. Results: Comparisons made according to real-time PCR test results revealed that while no statistically significant difference was observed between test groups (negative-positive) regarding lymphocyte and platelet lymphocyte ratio values (p > 0.05), a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the test groups regarding platelet, hemoglobin, leukocyte, neutrophil, NLR and SII values. Conclusion: Leukocyte, neutrophil, platelet count, NLR and SII values can be used in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

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Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the role of plasma presepsin in the early detection of septic shock and in determining the prognosis and mortality of patients with sepsis. Methodology: The study was conducted in the emergency department between 1 January 2017 and 1 July 2017. A total of 106 patients 18 years of age or older who were diagnosed with sepsis according to the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) criteria were included in this prospective study. The patients’ symptoms, vital signs, additional diseases, demographic attributes, laboratory results, Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) scores, imaging findings and treatments were recorded. Moreover, the patients’ blood samples were collected to measure plasma presepsin, procalcitonin and CRP levels. Results: In total, 55.7% of the patients were female. The median age of the patients was 78 (24–103) years, and their 30-day mortality rate was 67%. The presepsin level was significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). The presepsin levels did not differ significantly between the sepsis and septic shock groups (p = 0.12). Similarly, the procalcitonin levels did not differ significantly between the sepsis and septic shock groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the presepsin, procalcitonin and CRP levels between survivor and non-survivor patients (p = 0.74). Conclusions: The plasma presepsin level was found to be ineffective in determining the incidence of septic shock and mortality in patients with sepsis in the emergency department.

Hantaviruses are viruses belonging to the Bunyaviridae family, and they cause two forms of acute illness in humans: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). HFRS form seen in our country progresses with fever, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and bleeding. Therefore, hantavirus infections should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with these symptoms and signs. This report presents a case followed up with the differential diagnosis of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) during the pandemic and diagnosed with HFRS due to hantavirus.

Introduction:Musculoskeletal system complaints are often encountered in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of symptoms such as arthralgia, myalgia, and arthritis in hospitalized patients and their relationship with the final prognosis. Material and Method: Complaints related to myalgia, arthralgia, arthritis-like symptoms, laboratory parameters, VAS scores and localized painful areas of 154 hospitalized patients who were treated with a COVID-19 diagnosis were recorded on admission and during their hospitalization period. The relationship between these clinical and laboratory data and the duration of hospital stays, need for intensive care and death-recovery states was evaluated. Results: Of 154 cases, 45.5% (n=70) were female, 71.4% (n=110) had myalgia while 55.8% (n=86) had arthralgia. Mean VAS value was 6.39±2.04. The most commonly reported painful locations were dorsum in 68.2% (n=75) and chest in 63.6% (n=70) of the patients. The death rate was significantly higher in patients with dorsum pain. 25-0H-Vitamin D levels did not have a significant effect on the prognosis and in terms of needing intensive care. Conclusion:Myalgia and arthralgia are present in a significant part of patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Pain localized in the chest and dorsum area is associated with bad prognosis.