False Positive Rose Bengal Test in COVID-19 Patients with Abnormal T3 And T4 Levels

Abstract

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that is quite frequent. Fever, weakness, sweating, especially at night, and joint discomfort are indications of brucellosis. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of brucellosis, which may cause a delay in identifying the latter. Objectives: The study aims to investigate patients with COVID-19 who test positive for Rose Bengal and who suffer from high fever, persistent joint pain, and fatigue, as well as abnormal levels of T4 and T3 hormone determination. 19 was detected in 90 patients (45 males and 45 females) between July 1 and September 20, 2020. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 63 years. Laboratory tests were 2019-nCoV IgG/IgM COMBO test card, T4, T3, Rose Bengal Plate Test, C-reactive protein test (CRP), and total white blood cell count (WBCs). COVID-19 was detected in 90 patients (45 males and 45 females) between July 1 and September 20, 2020. All patients suffered from fewer white blood cells (less than 4000 cells\ cm3). The level of CRP protein was slightly higher in men than in women during the first week of infection, 40 (88.88%) and 35 (77.77%), respectively. At the same time, the T3 and T4 hormone levels in both sexes were less than expected in most patients. The levels of CRP protein in most patients at the beginning of infection were high (13.7-97 mg/L in both sexes. Five days after contracting COVID-19, a Rose Bengal test was performed on all patients. The highest incidence of brucellosis in COVID-19 patients was in the age groups 21-30 (38.18%) and 31-40 (34.54%), respectively. Doctors worldwide are concentrating on the COVID-19 epidemic. However, they must pay close attention to one crucial point: distinguishing COVID-19 from brucellosis to receive the proper therapy and recover quickly without any drug-related complications. Keywords: COVID-19, brucellosis, Brucella abortus and SARS-CoV-2