Comparing radiological presentations of first and second strains of COVID-19 infections in a low-resource country

Abstract

Introduction The novel corona virus popularly referred to as COVID-19 disease and SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. In Ghana, the first two cases of COVID-19 infection were recorded on March 13, 2020 with a strain imported from Europe. In December 2020, a new strain from South Africa was detected in Ghana which was associated with higher transmission rates, severity of the disease, and higher number of recorded deaths. Our study aimed to record notable differences and similarities between infections due to the initial, and second strains of COVID-19 infections detected in Ghana during the last 12-months. Method This was a retrospective study involving 50 patients infected with the first strain, and another 50 patients infected with the second strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Microsoft Excel-2013 was the analytical tool. Results The data analysis supported publications suggesting that the new strain of the virus caused more severe infections, which were manifested on high resolution CT (HRCT) scans as more widespread alveolar disease, most commonly presenting as large areas of consolidation. Conclusion Despite numerous similarities in terms of the manifestation of COVID-19 infection on HRCT scans, notable difference supporting the notion of increased virulence and severity of disease were also recorded. The study findings demonstrate the need for heightened and sustained preventive measures needed to reduce, and eventually curb COVID-19 infection and mortality rates associated with the introduction of new virulent strains.

The interface between SARS-CoV-2 and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in a high HIV/TB burden district level hospital setting, Cape Town, South Africa

“…This is supported by Figure 3, which compares mortality between waves I and II. This also is consistent with studies that found a new strain of the virus caused more severe infections, as evidenced by abnormal CXR [36][37][38][39]. This cohort included patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, with 76% being oxygen dependent and 78% receiving corticosteroid therapy.…”

CT Characterization of COVID-19 Infection: Analysis of 1000 PCR Positive Cases in First and Second Waves

“…However, as regards the severity of CT lung affection in different age groups, we found that there was a positive moderate correlation between age and total CT severity score of the lung in the first wave (r=0.51, p-value<0.001), while a significant positive mild correlation in the second wave ( r=0.31 and p-value <0.001), and this is not matching with results of E.K.K. Brakohiapa et al study may be due to different sample sizes as well as different environmental and ambient conditions between the two studies (15) . According to CORADS classification, we found that CORADS 3 with typical CT findings was the most common type in all patients (43.8%, and 49.4%) and most normal patients with CORADS 0 were in young age group A (≤ 30 years) by (12.8% and 22.6%) in both first and second waves respectively.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care lung ultrasound for COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…[44][45][46] While the rates of severe disease may vary between strains, the pulmonary complications and their radiological manifestations appear to be consistent. 47 Also, these are indeed shared by other causes of viral pneumonia. 5 6 In one study comparing chest CT findings in patients infected with different variants of COVID-19, while there was a difference in the severity of radiological findings, the nature and distribution of changes was similar.…”