الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
COVID-19 is a global public health emergency. Despite the most stringent precautions, SARS-CoV-2 infections had spread quickly around the globe. There is an immediate need for a quick, low-cost alternative tool for diagnosis and screening. SARS-CoV-2 IgA detection might be an excellent option.
The aim of the study was to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgA among home-isolated COVID-19 patients in Alexandria Governorate, through investigation of SARS-CoV-2 IgA among COVID-19 patients, comparing SARS-CoV-2 IgA response among patients with different presentations, and assessment of the relationship between SARS-CoV2 IgA response and laboratory and radiological findings of COVID-19 patients.
Over the course of six months, from June through November 2020, a cross-sectional study was undertaken on 89 COVID-19 patients who were confirmed by PCR and were directed by healthcare officials to be home-isolated. Study participants were recruited from private laboratories and through web based invitation 10 to 15 days after testing positive for COVID-19 by PCR, until the needed sample size was reached. Aseptically, blood samples were collected for serological detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgA and comprehensive blood picture analysis.
The results of the present study revealed that:
SARS CoV-2 IgA was detected in 79 (88.8%) cases of the studied participants.
Females constituted 64% of the studied participants. The majority were married (76%) and non-smokers (76%). The medical personnel forms 31.5% of the enrolled participants.
Regarding symptoms, 74 patients (83.1%) had fever. Coughing was reported by 54 (60.7%) participants.
Among studied subjects, 35 (39.3%) patients were hypertensive and 23 (25.8%) were diabetic.
Out of 89 participants, 54 (60.7%) cases had contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Leukopenia was recorded in 52 (58.4%) individuals, while the majority of the participants (85.4%) had normal lymphocytic count.
Pneumonic radiological features were demonstrated in 70.8% of enrolled COVID- 19 patients.
The top four most consumed drugs by the participants were zinc (98.9%), vitamin C (97.8%), paracetamol (87.6%) and azithromycin (87.6%).
With respect to gender, marital status, and occupation, there were statistically significant variations in IgA ratios among study subjects, (p<0.001), (p^MC =0.04) and (p^MC <0.001), respectively.
IgA ratios were above 12 in 40.6% of males, 38.1% of smokers, 88.9% of pensioners, 38.2% of hypertensive and in 71.4% of those with underlying cardiac conditions.
There was a statistically significant relation between SARS CoV-2 IgA ratios and those who had hypertension or heart disease (p=0.016, p = 0.019, respectively).
There was a statistically significant relation between SARS CoV-2 IgA ratios and those who received lactoferrin or acetyl cysteine (p=0.005, p = 0.009, respectively).
6.2. Conclusion
from this study, it can be concluded that:
Within a few days following exposure, SARS-CoV-2 IgA was elicited in most patients.
Regarding symptoms, elevated temperature ranked as the first most prevalent symptom among COVID-19 patients followed by Coughing.
Hypertension was the most common underlying comorbidity among the enrolled study subjects followed by DM.
Contact with confirmed cases was the most prevalent reason for getting the infection.
Among enrolled COVID-19 patients, leukopenia was a frequent finding and pneumonia was the highest chest pathology to be reported as well.
There was a statistically significant difference as regards SARS-CoV-2 IgA ratios and gender, marital status as well as occupation.
There was a statistically significant difference as regards SARS-CoV-2 IgA ratios and hypertension as well as heart disease.
There was a statistically significant difference as regards SARS-CoV-2 IgA quantities and lactoferrin as well as acetylcysteine.
6.3. Recommendations
from the results of the present study, the following recommendations are suggested:
SARS-CoV-2 IgA should be taken into consideration as an acceptable diagnostic and screening tool in the early infection phase of COVID-19.
Good precautionary measures settled by health officials are to be encouraged in order to contain pandemics and public health problems.
Further studies monitoring the temporal profile of SARS-CoV-2 IgA are to be considered