[New characteristics of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant in Guangzhou]

Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2023 May 12;46(5):441-443. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112147-20230311-00125.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

We investigated the types of novel coronavirus strains present during the Omicron epidemic from late 2022 to early 2023, COVID-19 co-infections with other pathogens, and clinical characteristics of patients with novel coronavirus infections. Adult patients hospitalized due to SARS CoV-2 infection in six hospitals in Guangzhou city were included in the study from November 2022 to February 2023. Clinical information was collected and analyzed, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained for pathogen detection using a variety of techniques, including standard methods and mNGS, tNGS. The results showed that the main strain circulating in Guangzhou was Omicron BA.5.2, and the overall detection rate of potentially pathogenic pathogens combined with Omicron COVID-19 infection was 49.8%. In patients with severe COVID-19 infection, special attention should be paid to aspergillosis and combined Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In additon, Omicron strain infection could cause viral sepsis, which led to a worse prognosis for COVID-19 patients. Diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection did not benefit from glucocorticoid treatment, and caution was necessary when using glucocorticoids. These findings highlighted some new features of severe Omicron coronavirus infection that should be noted.

2022年底至2023年初广州地区新型冠状病毒感染住院患者的毒株主要为奥密克戎BA.5.2(91.4%),合并感染除了常见的院内感染病原体(如肺炎克雷伯菌),特别需关注曲霉感染。奥密克戎株感染可引起病毒性脓毒症,导致预后更差。重症新型冠状病毒感染不等于重症肺炎,临床上需综合考虑肺部影像和其他系统的情况。合并新型冠状病毒感染的糖尿病患者并没有从糖皮质激素治疗中获益,这些患者使用糖皮质激素需要慎重。.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aspergillosis*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
  • COVID-19*
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants