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BMC Pulmonary Medicine
Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | SARS-CoV-2 | Research article

Temporal changes of haematological and radiological findings of the COVID-19 infection—a review of literature

Authors: Albert Yick Hou Lim, Jun Leng Goh, Mae Chui Wei Chua, Bee Hoon Heng, John Arputham Abisheganaden, Pradeep Paul George

Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

COVID-19 is a systemic viral infection which mainly targets the human respiratory system with many secondary clinical manifestations especially affecting the hematopoietic system and haemostasis. Few studies have highlighted the prognostic value of blood findings such as lymphopenia, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, LDH, CRP, cardiac troponin, low-density lipoproteins and chest radiographic abnormality. A study of progressions of blood and radiological results may help to identify patients at high risk of severe outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the temporal progression of blood and radiology findings of patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted on Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify articles published for peripheral blood investigation and radiological results of COVID-19 patients.

Results

A total of 27 studies were included in this review. The common laboratory features reported include lymphopenia, elevated levels of C-reactive proteins and lactate dehydrogenase. For radiological signs, ground-glass opacifications, consolidations, and crazy paving patterns were frequently reported. There is a correlation between lymphocyte count, neutrophil count and biomarkers such as C-reactive proteins and lactate dehydrogenase; at a later phase of the disease (more than 7 days since onset of symptoms), lymphopenia worsens while neutrophil count, C-reactive protein levels and lactate dehydrogenase levels increase. Frequencies of ground-glass opacifications and ground-glass opacifications with consolidations decrease at a later phase of the disease while that of consolidation and crazy paving pattern rises as the disease progresses. More extensive lung involvement was also seen more frequently in the later phases.

Conclusion

The correlation between temporal progression and the reported blood and radiological results may be helpful to monitor and evaluate disease progression and severity.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Temporal changes of haematological and radiological findings of the COVID-19 infection—a review of literature
Authors
Albert Yick Hou Lim
Jun Leng Goh
Mae Chui Wei Chua
Bee Hoon Heng
John Arputham Abisheganaden
Pradeep Paul George
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pulmonary Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2466
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-020-01389-z

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