Title:Clinical Characteristics and High-resolution Computed Tomography Findings
of 805 Patients with Mild or Moderate Infection from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron
Subvariant BA.2
Volume: 20
Author(s): Yu-Ning Pan, Meng-Yin Gu, Quan-Liang Mao, Xin-Zhong Ruan, Xian-Feng Du, Xiang Gao, Xue-Qin Chen*Ai-Jing Li*
Affiliation:
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
- Department of Radiology, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China
Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, Omicron variant, BA.2, Computed tomography, Infection.
Abstract:
Background:
COVID-19 is a global pandemic. Currently, the predominant strain is SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2 in many countries. Understanding
its infection characteristics can facilitate clinical management.
Objectives:
This study aimed to characterize the clinical, laboratory, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in patients with mild or
moderate infection from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective study on patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2 between April 4th and April 17th, 2022. The
clinical characteristics, laboratory features, and HRCT images were reviewed.
Results:
A total of 805 patients were included (411 males and 394 females, median age 33 years old). The infection was mild, moderate, severe, and
asymptomatic in 490 (60.9%), 37 (4.6%), 0 (0.0%), and 278 (34.5%) patients, respectively. Notably, 186 (23.1%), 96 (11.9%), 265 (32.9%), 11
(3.4%), 7 (0.9%), and 398 (49.4%) patients had fever, cough, throat discomfort, stuffy or runny nose, fatigue, and no complaint, respectively.
Furthermore, 162 (20.1%), 332 (41.2%), and 289 (35.9%) patients had decreased white blood cell counts, reduced lymphocytes, and elevated Creactive
protein levels, respectively. HRCT revealed pneumonia in 53 (6.6%) patients. The majority of the lung involvements were ground-glass
opacity (50, 94.3%) mostly in the subpleural area. The grade of lung injury was mainly mild (90.6%). Short-term follow-ups showed that most
patients with pneumonia recovered.
Conclusion:
Most patients with mild or moderate infection from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2 were adults, with fever and upper respiratory
symptoms as the main clinical presentations. Lower respiratory infection was mild, with ground-glass opacity in the subpleural area as the main
finding.
