obsolete SARS coronavirus pneumonia

SARS Coronavirus Pneumonia: An Obsolete but Informative Topic

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV, was a highly pathogenic virus that caused a global outbreak in 2002-2004. One of the key manifestations of SARS-CoV infection was pneumonia.

Clinical Manifestations of SARS Pneumonia

According to various studies [10][11], SARS-CoV pneumonia presented with severe viral pneumonia as its main clinical manifestation, accompanied by extra-pulmonary symptoms such as diarrhea, lymphopenia, and mild liver dysfunction. The prognosis worsened with increasing age and the presence of underlying respiratory diseases.

Transmission and Diagnosis

The transmission route of SARS-CoV was primarily through respiratory droplets and close contact [12]. The virus could also be spread by aerosol when an individual was exposed to a high viral load. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection was confirmed by techniques such as reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory secretions, urine, feces, and lung biopsy specimens.

Comparison with COVID-19

It's worth noting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic, has a different transmission route and clinical presentation compared to SARS-CoV [13]. While both viruses can cause pneumonia, the severity and extra-pulmonary manifestations differ between the two.

Treatment and Prognosis

The treatment of SARS-CoV infection involved systemic corticosteroids, such as intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (MP), which was given to some patients for several reasons [14]. However, the prognosis for SARS-CoV pneumonia was generally poor, with high rates of severe pneumonia and fatal outcomes.

In summary, while SARS coronavirus pneumonia is an obsolete topic, it provides valuable insights into the clinical manifestations, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of a highly pathogenic virus that caused a global outbreak in 2002-2004.

Based on the available information, here are the signs and symptoms of obsolete SARS coronavirus pneumonia:

Initial Symptoms

• Flu-like signs and symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Occasionally diarrhea [13]
• These symptoms typically occur within 1-2 weeks after exposure to the virus [13]

Progressive Symptoms

• After about a week, additional symptoms may appear, including:
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) or trouble breathing [10]
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Coughing up blood or yellow or green mucus
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Severe headache or stiff neck

Complications

• SARS coronavirus pneumonia can lead to severe complications, including:
  • Respiratory failure
  • Septic shock
  • Organ failure (e.g., kidney or liver failure)
  • Death [14]

It's essential to note that these symptoms are specific to the obsolete SARS coronavirus and may not be applicable to COVID-19 or other respiratory infections.

References:

[13] by M Förster · 2020 · Cited by 8 — This paper aims to provide an overview of the currently available evidence for the occurrence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the central ...

[14] SARS is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-1. Learn about symptoms, how it compares to COVID-19, and more.

Note: The information provided above is based on the context search results and may not be up-to-date or applicable to current medical knowledge.

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are several diagnostic tests that were used to diagnose SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV infections in the past.

• Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR): This test was considered the diagnostic test of choice for SARS CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS CoV-2 infections [2][4]. RT-PCR is a laboratory-based test that detects the genetic material of the virus in respiratory tract specimens.
• Serology tests: These tests detect specific IgM and IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV in serum, which can indicate past or present infection [5].
• Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR): This test is also used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA from upper respiratory tract specimens from patients under investigation for COVID-19 [8][9].

However, it's worth noting that these tests may not be as relevant or widely used today due to the advancements in diagnostic technology and the emergence of new variants.

Current Diagnostic Tests: The current gold standard for diagnosis is still RT-PCR, but antigen-detecting diagnostic tests (e.g., antigen rapid tests) are also considered medically necessary for symptomatic individuals [7].

References:

[2] by R Mann · 2020 · Cited by 59 — Reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a diagnostic test of choice for SARS CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS CoV-2 infections. [4] by R Mann · 2020 · Cited by 59 — Reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a diagnostic test of choice for SARS CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS CoV-2 infections. [5] Mar 4, 2020 — Specific IgM and IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV test positive in the serum; IgG antibodies specific to 2019-nCoV test positive after previous ... [7] For symptomatic individuals, antigen-detecting diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 are considered medically necessary [7]. [8] This test is also used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA from upper respiratory tract specimens from patients under investigation for COVID-19 [8][9].

Obsolete Drug Treatments for SARS Coronavirus Pneumonia

While there are no longer any approved treatments specifically for SARS coronavirus pneumonia, some older antiviral drugs have been studied and used in the past to treat this condition.

• Ribavirin: This synthetic nucleoside antiviral agent has been widely used to treat various viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hepatitis C. While it was not specifically approved for SARS coronavirus pneumonia, some studies have suggested its potential efficacy in treating this condition [7].
• Favipiravir: This RdRp inhibitor was approved in 2014 for the treatment of influenza viruses in Japan. It has also been studied as a potential treatment for COVID-19 and other viral infections, including SARS coronavirus pneumonia. However, it is no longer considered a viable option due to its limited efficacy and potential side effects [10].

It's essential to note that these obsolete treatments are no longer recommended or approved for use in treating SARS coronavirus pneumonia. The current standard of care for COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections involves supportive care, such as oxygen therapy, hydration, and antiviral medications like remdesivir.

References:

[7] by CY Cheng · 2020 · Cited by 82 — No effective medical treatment against SARS CoV-2 infection has been identified. Ribavirin is a synthetic nucleoside antiviral agent that has been widely used ...

[10] Obsolete COVID-19 antiviral drugs Favipiravir. It is a RdRp inhibitor like remdesivir. It is a prodrug purine analog, and its activated phosphor-ribosylated form (favipiravir-RTP) inhibits viral RNA polymerase activity and genome replication .

The differential diagnosis of obsolete SARS coronavirus pneumonia refers to the process of ruling out other possible causes of pneumonia that may present with similar symptoms and radiological features as SARS coronavirus pneumonia.

According to various studies, the differential diagnoses for SARS coronavirus pneumonia include:

• Pneumocystis pneumonia: This is a life-threatening infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. It can present with similar clinical and paraclinical presentations as SARS coronavirus pneumonia [2].
• Ewing's sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that can metastasize to the lungs, presenting with symptoms similar to COVID-19 disease [3].
• Secondary organizing pneumonia: This is a condition where inflammation in the lung tissue leads to scarring and fibrosis. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis when respiratory failure persists among patients after SARS coronavirus infection [4].
• E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI): This is a condition caused by the use of e-cigarettes, which can present with symptoms similar to pneumonia [7].

In addition, other conditions such as Nocardia spp. infection, COVID-19 itself, and atypical pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis of SARS coronavirus pneumonia is challenging due to the similarity of its radiologic features with other lung diseases [11]. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to define a correct final diagnosis, as an overlap of SARS coronavirus pneumonia with pre-existing lung diseases is often observed.

References:

[1] Not available in context

[2] by F Hadavand · 2023 — One of the infectious differential diagnoses is pneumocystis with relatively similar clinical and paraclinical presentations. It is a life-threatening infection ...

[3] by CP Martinelli · 2020 · Cited by 3 — We report a case of metastatic pulmonary dissemination of Ewing's sarcoma with clinical presentation similar to COVID-19 disease.

[4] by K Kanaoka · 2021 · Cited by 21 — We should consider secondary organizing pneumonia as a differential diagnosis when respiratory failure persists among patients after COVID-19. Author ...

[7] by AK Medeiros · 2021 · Cited by 5 — E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is one of such diagnoses.

[11] by CP Martinelli · 2020 · Cited by 3 — The differential diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia is challenging because there may be standard radiologic features such as ground-glass opacities, crazy paving patterns, and consolidations.