Tests -ve, but signs akin to Covid puzzle doctors
RT-PCR test cannot detect virus if mutant strain is present
More than 10,000 people have tested negative for Covid-19 in the last 15 days here, but these patients have similar symptoms, requiring intensive care and ventilation support, stated medical experts here.
RT-PCR tests are negative but the diagnostic kits cannot test the virus if the S, R and RBD mutations are present,” they said.
These mutations are deletions or substitutions in the genes of the virus. Two types of mutations were detected in Maharashtra and Kerala. Epidemiologists have reported to the central health ministry that so far they are confined to the two states only.
What is the reason for the tests showing negative even as patients have symptoms of chill, muscle ache, blood in sputum and low oxygen levels? Is the quality of the diagnostic kit a challenge? Or is there a mutation that is being missed?
A senior infectious disease doctor in a private hospital said, “RT-PCR is negative but the severity of symptoms indicates that it is Covid-19. The virus is expected to mutate and there could be a local mutation, which has to be identified. Patients are often admitted with severe symptoms.”
Hospitals state that intensive care units and Covid-19 wards are full.
Another explained, “We are seeing many patients testing positive in diagnosis but their response to medicines is slow. They are taking time to recover. Why is that happening, we do not know.”
Hospitals in the city have a collaboration with the National Institute of Virology in Pune, to where samples are sent. To send a sample, there is a set criteria and the patient’s symptoms must merit that. During last year, there was aggressive collection of samples. Now it has reduced as the cases are declining.”
These new patients who are responding slowly to medicines are a concern but sending their samples to NIV is a challenge. Another doctor explained, “Due to the taboo of the disease, there is unwillingness among the family members to report the matter. Hence, till the microbiologist is sure that it is a case of concern, random samples are not sent.”
Scientists at CSIR’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology where genome sequencing is carried out say they are getting more samples of international travellers but less from local residents. Sample collection is important to understand the emerging local variants if any.
While variants of the virus will be around, it is important to understand that only those that are virulent will be a cause of concern.
People are once again alert as there are cases in the neighbourhood.
Sangeeta Gupta, an insurance agent in Hyderabad who has three family members in the intensive care unit of the hospital says, “It is disturbing … that the Covid tests are negative but patients are still on ventilator support. No one is allowed to meet and no information is shared. What is the disease is not known. In 2020, we lost three members of the family to Covid-19.”
Dr Narsinga Reddy, past national vice-president of Indian Medical Association (IMA) explains: “It has been static this month with only a few cases being seen. There is no sudden rise till now. With cases increasing in Maharashtra and Kerala, we have to be alert.”
Out-patient departments of hospitals are also seeing a lot of cases of viral fevers due to sudden changes in weather. This has sparked fears of immune-compromised state of people making them susceptible to contract infectious diseases.
THE CASE was booked against Lukka Srinivasa Rao, who was working as a cashier at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Somajiguda, said the police.
The ex-cashier of a jewellery store in Somajiguda was booked by the Panjagutta police for forging invoices and stealing gold ornaments weighing 90.345 gm, with a value of `4.64 lakh, from the place over the course of a few months. The crime came to light when the owners conducted an internal audit.
The case was booked against Lukka Srinivasa Rao, who was working as a cashier at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Somajiguda, said the police.
A complaint was received from the management of Malabar Royal Designs Hyderabad Pvt. Ltd, represented by its showroom head Shareej, 36, wherein he stated that Lukka Srinivasa Rao, has committed falsification of accounts and forged false invoices by deceitfully misappropriating gold ornaments weighing 90.345 grams having a value of `4,64,000 from the company and has stolen the gold ornaments.
“Srinivasa Rao had committed the said acts with an intention to cause loss to the company and unlawful gain to him. The victim’s company came to know about the acts of the accused pursuant to an internal audit conducted in the complainant company on Sunday. We have booked a cheating case and started an investigation. Efforts are on to trace and nab the man,” said the police.