Abstract:

Objective To investigate the epidemiological, clinical and imaging characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by Omicron variant. Methods The clinical and imaging data of 52 cases infected with imported Omicron variant were retrospectively reviewed. According to the chest CT findings, the cases were divided into 2 groups: the unaltered group (n=26) and abnormal group (n=26). The characteristics of clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. According to the progress of chest CT during hospitalization, patients in the abnormal group were divided into two subgroups: the improved subgroup (n=13) and the progress subgroup (n=13). The clinical and imaging characteristics were compared between the two subgroups. Results In the 52 cases, males accounted for 71.2%. The average age was 29.5 (24.0, 42.5), and the average age was older in the abnormal group (P<0.05). Vaccination rate was 90.4%, with the main symptoms of cough (50%), dry sore throat (48.1%) and fever (44.2%). There were no significant differences in vaccination rate, symptoms, the level of leukocytes, C-reactive proteins, calcitonogen, interleukin-6, D-dimers and T lymphocytes between the two groups. Among 52 cases, chest CT abnormalities accounted for 50%, among which the most common CT sighs were ground-glass opacity (GGO, 88.5%), consolidation shadow (50.0%) and pleural thickening (30.8%). The progressive group was more likely to have consolidation changes and multiple lobar involvement. Conclusion Cough, throat discomfort and fever are the most common symptoms. The most common chest imaging finding is GGO, which can be used to the early diagnosis and assessment of the disease.

Key words: pneumonia, viral, Tianjin, COVID-19, Omicron, clinical characteristics