Anosmia and negative polymerase chain reaction tests

Authors

  • Laura Elena Alvaré Alvaré Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) la Habana.
  • María del Carmen Luis Álvarez Hospital Pediátrico Univesitario ''William Soler''.Universidad de Ciencias Médicas.La Habana.Cuba.
  • Waldo Jiménez González Universidadde Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) la Habana. Cuba.

Keywords:

anosmia, ageusia, COVID-19, serology for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, IgM, IgG, polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 became a pandemic as of March 2020. Among the clinical manifestations of the peripheral nervous system may appear anosmia and ageusia.

Objective: Demonstrate the importance of clinical and epidemiological diagnosis in the certainty criterion of COVID-19.

Case presentation: 17-year-old male adolescent with loss of smell and family history of COVID-19, so he was left alone at home due to the admission in hospital of his family; he had two negative polymerase chain reaction tests in the first instance, without clinical picture of the apparent disease, until approximately 10 days after the appearance of the symptoms of the family, which begins with total loss of smell; the same test is repeated, which is negative again and he is referred to consultation for the study of anosmia. He was attended in Pediatrics service, a complete study is indicated and the interconsultation with the specialist of otolaryngology is carried out. All the complementary laboratory, microbiology and imaging tests were negative, so it was decided, due to the suspicion of COVID-19 and the family history, to perform serology for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which resulted in positive IgG.

Conclusion: The retrospective clinical and epidemiological diagnosis allowed the certainty criterion of COVID-19 disease.

 

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Author Biography

María del Carmen Luis Álvarez, Hospital Pediátrico Univesitario ''William Soler''.Universidad de Ciencias Médicas.La Habana.Cuba.

Especialista de Segundo Grado en Pediatría.Profesora Auxiliar.

Published

2021-11-16

How to Cite

1.
Alvaré Alvaré LE, Luis Álvarez M del C, Jiménez González W. Anosmia and negative polymerase chain reaction tests. Rev Cubana Pediatría [Internet]. 2021 Nov. 16 [cited 2025 Jun. 29];93. Available from: https://revpediatria.sld.cu/index.php/ped/article/view/1753