SAGE Open Medical Case Reports (Oct 2020)

What are we missing? Three cases of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with negative testing

  • Aisha Siddiqui,
  • Sukhdev Singh,
  • Zohaib Khan,
  • Allison Foster,
  • Muhammed Atere,
  • Jay M Nfonoyim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313x20965410
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected health care systems globally. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is currently the preferred method of detecting COVID-19; however, sensitivity of this test remains questionable. Incidental transmission and potential harm to infected individuals are some consequences of the failure to identify high-risk patients. We report three cases of symptomatic patients that required intensive care management with labs and imaging consistent with COVID-19 with initial false-negative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction testing. Improper sampling, viral load, and manufacturer variances of tests all contribute to reduced sensitivity. A clinical diagnosis should supplant such cases.