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Comparative Study
. 2020 Nov;92(11):2551-2555.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.26052. Epub 2020 Aug 25.

Effects of methylprednisolone use on viral genomic nucleic acid negative conversion and CT imaging lesion absorption in COVID-19 patients under 50 years old

Yuan Gong  1 , Li Guan  1 , Zhu Jin  1 , Shixiong Chen  1 , Guangming Xiang  1 , Baoan Gao  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Effects of methylprednisolone use on viral genomic nucleic acid negative conversion and CT imaging lesion absorption in COVID-19 patients under 50 years old

Yuan Gong et al. J Med Virol. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

The use of corticosteroids has been controversial in viral pneumonia. In most cases, application of methylprednisolone in severe and critical viral pneumonia patients can quickly alleviate the symptoms of dyspnea and prevent disease progression. However, some scholars have confirmed that corticosteroids delayed the body's clearance of the virus. In our retrospective non-randomized study, 34 patients under 50 years old and diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were included. According to the given methylprednisolone treatment (n = 18) or not (n = 16), they were separated into two groups. By comparing the clinical data we concluded that corticosteroids therapy can effectively release COVID-19 symptoms such as persistent fever and difficult in breathing, improve oxygenation, and prevent disease progression. However, it can prolong the negative conversion of nucleic acids.

Keywords: COVID-19; CT image lesion; methylprednisolone; treatment; virus nucleic acid.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Features of lung lesions on CT images of COVID‐19 confirmed cases. A, Ground glass opacity. B, Cloudy. C, Interstitial changes and fibrous stripes. D, Consolidation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Lung lesion on CT image before and after 20 days of treatment. A, Lung CT image before treatment of non‐methylprednisolone treatment group group. B, Lung CT image after 20 days treatment of non‐methylprednisolone treatment group. C, Lung CT image before treatment of methylprednisolone treatment group. D, Lung CT image after 20 days treatment of methylprednisolone treatment group
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in oxygen saturation in methylprednisolone treatment group at different time point
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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