Measuring the Possibility of Middle Ear Discharge for COVID-19 Test Material

Hamsu Kadriyan; Lalu Hizrian Rizkika Abtartu; Eustachius Hagni Wardoyo; Fahrin Ramadan Andiwijaya

doi:10.1155/2022/7207846

Measuring the Possibility of Middle Ear Discharge for COVID-19 Test Material

Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis. 2022 Apr 20:2022:7207846. doi: 10.1155/2022/7207846. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Hamsu Kadriyan¹, Lalu Hizrian Rizkika Abtartu¹, Eustachius Hagni Wardoyo², Fahrin Ramadan Andiwijaya³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia.
² Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mataram University, Mataram, Indonesia.
³ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and new variants continue to emerge. Various examination methods and sampling specimens are continuously being developed and published. The standard for sampling is in the nasopharynx. However, in children, this is often uncomfortable and at risk of eliciting complications. Therefore, it is necessary to look for other alternative sampling sites such as fluid from the middle ear. Scientific evidence shows that the middle ear can be a place for the attachment and growth of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Currently, to the best of the author's knowledge, there have been no publications on middle ear discharge as a sample for the determination of the diagnosis of COVID-19. Based on this, the authors would like to explore the possibility of middle ear discharge for COVID-19 test material. A narrative review on the use of middle ear discharge as a potential diagnostic specimen for COVID-19 was conducted. The searches were conducted in the PubMed and ProQuest databases.

Publication types

Review