Epidemiologic Features and Clinical Course of COVID-19: a Retrospective
Analysis of 19 Patients in Germany
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
causes coronavirus disease-19 (CoVID-19). The virus has exhibited
unprecedented human to human transmission and progressed into a pandemic
over a short duration. Aim To report the epidemiology; clinical,
radiological, and laboratory characteristics; and outcome of SARS-CoV-2
infection in 19 patients in Germany. Methods Retrospective analysis of
19 patients contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by PCR in Germany
between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020. Results In 19 PCR-confirmed
SARS-Cov-2 virus infection (median age 69 years; 12 (63%) males), the
most common presentations were Fever (79%), cough (79%), fatigue
(79%), and dyspnea (42%). The most common comorbidities were
hypertension (47%), hypothyroidism (32%), and cardiac diseases (32%).
According to chest X-ray, 15 (79%) of patients had abnormal chest
X-rays; of these, 13 had bilateral chest infiltrates and two had
unilateral infiltrates. Lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein
(CRP) were elevated in all patients at baseline investigations; 343 U/L
(169-931 U/L) and 8 mg/dL (1-17 mg/dL), respectively. Of the 19 cases,
13 (68.4%) recovered and discharged, 9 (47.3%) needed ICU admission,
and 4 (21.1%) cases died. Conclusion Among the 19 patients diagnosed
with SARS-CoV-2, mild respiratory tract infections symptoms were
frequently reported. Some patients required supplemental oxygen and had
variable clinical outcomes following supportive and antibiotic
treatments. These findings may contribute to the development of more
effective strategies of infection control.