Flu season approaches! CRP and other respiratory tests are useful in transient COVID-19-testing sites

It’s good to remember that respiratory symptoms are not always of SARS-CoV2. CRP is a good indicator of severity of respiratory infections (also in COVID-19), and it can reveal more than what is clinically observed^1,2. Remote consultations and lab referrals are preferred more and more because of the pandemic^3-5. Thus, measuring CRP brings much needed support for correct diagnosis especially now. One of the biggest healthcare providers in Finland, Mehiläinen, has already equipped their drive-in COVID testing site with e.g., CRP and throat sampling according to a Finnish newspaper, Aamulehti⁶.

CRP brings added value to both negative and positive SARS-CoV2 test results: With negative result, CRP can be effectively used to rule out serious bacterial infection and assess the severity and need of antibiotics for the respiratory infection^1,7,8. With positive SARS-CoV2 result, CRP tells about the severity and risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection, and measured sequentially, CRP can be used to follow the course of infection^1,2,9,11. QuikRead go CRP products provide reliable first CRP result if follow-up is needed, e.g., in case of hospitalization of COVID-19 patients.

Addition to CRP, specific detection of Strep A helps to make necessary treatment decisions at the point of care. Symptoms in COVID-19 vary and can resemble other respiratory infections11. Sore throat is a common symptom and only sometimes caused by bacterium (most typically Strep A) warranting antibiotic treatment.

Flexible QuikRead go system is ideal for evaluating respiratory infections (CRP and Strep A) also in transient locations: The samples are stable in the test, portable instrument can be operated by battery, Wi-Fi connection is possible, and the results are ready within minutes. QuikRead go can help guide patient’s next steps immediately!

References:

1. Pepys MB, Hirscheld GM. C-reactive protein: a critical update. J Clin Invest 2003; 111(12): 1
2. Ghayda RA et al. Correlations of Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145026
3. World Heatlh Organization: Infection prevention and control during health care when coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is suspected or confirmed: Interim guidance 29.6.2020
4. GP. Should remote consultations be the default after COVID-19? Luke Haynes, 3.8.2020 https://www.gponline.com/remote-consultations-default-covid-19/article/1690834, accessed 10.9.2020
5. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/05/millions-of-patients-benefiting-from-remote-consultations-as-family-doctors-respond-to-covid-19/, accessed 10.9.2020
6. Aamulehti. Mehiläisen Kaupin koronatestauspiste siirtyi keskeiselle paikalle Tampereen ytimeen – Ensimmäisenä aamuna noin tunnin jonotusaika. Katja Pajula. 11.8.2020, updated 12.8.2020. Article in Finnish. https://www.aamulehti.fi/a/fb122c76-bb44-4f6f-b191-e5ec0dba8914, Accessed 15.8.2020
7. Little P, et al. Effects of internet-based training on antibiotic prescribing rates for acute respiratory-tract infections: a multinational, cluster, randomised, factorial, controlled trial. Lancet 2013; 382(9899): 1175-1182.
8. Aabenhus R et al. Biomarkers as point-of-care tests to guide antibiotics in patients with acute respiratory infections in primary care. Cohcrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014; 11: CD010130.
9. Wang G, et al. C-Reactive Protein Level May Predict the Risk of COVID-19 Aggravation. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2020 May. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa153
10. Yuan J, et al. The correlation between viral clearance and biochemical outcomes of 94 COVID‑19 infected discharged patients. Inflammation Research 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-020-01342-0
11. Struyf T, Signs and symptoms to determine if a patient presenting in primary care or hospital outpatient settings has COVID-19 disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 Jul 7. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013665.