Infectious Diseases, Prevention and Control

Introduction & Aim: In Ukraine, the frequency of Corona Virus Infection (CVI) in the general structure of Acute Respiratory Viral Infections (ARVI) in adults has not previously been studied. But the range of clinical symptoms in CVI is much wider than the affection of only the respiratory system and intoxication syndrome. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical features in patients with CVI and to determine the frequency of confirmed cases of CVI in the general structure of ARVI. Methods: Under surveillance, there were 150 patients with ARVI. For the etiological confirmation of the diagnosis of CVI molecular biological methods were used: PCR with reverse transcription, multiplex PCR, PCR with real-time amplification product detection. Results: RNA of respiratory coronaviruses I (HCoV I AG) and II (HCoV II AG) antigenic groups were detected in 36 (24%) samples of sputum. The symptoms of the disease included febrile temperature, weakness and dry cough in 36 (100%) cases, sore throat-in 29 (80.5%) patients. HCoV I AG (229E, NL63) was isolated from 15 patients (10%), HCoV II AG (OC43, HKU1)-in 21 (14%) cases of ARVI. Such complications as pneumonia and Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), bronchiolitis without affecting the upper respiratory system, the affection of the digestive system much more often occurred in patients with HCoV II AG, he meningism is more typical for HCoV I AG. Conclusion: The revealed clinical features will help the physician suspect the diagnosis of CVI and prescribe an adequate examination and treatment.