Added value of rapid respiratory syndromic testing at point of care versus central laboratory testing: a controlled clinical trial.

Background: Virus-associated respiratory infections are in the spotlight with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the expanding use of multiplex PCR (mPCR). The impact of molecular testing as a point-of-care test (POCT) in the emergency department (ED) is still unclear.

Objectives: To compare the impact of a syndromic test performed in the ED as a POCT and in the central laboratory on length of stay (LOS), antibiotic use and single-room assignment.

Viral epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections with other respiratory viruses during the first COVID-19 wave in Paris, France.

Objectives: Our work assessed the prevalence of co-infections in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: All patients hospitalized in a Parisian hospital during the first wave of COVID-19 were tested by multiplex PCR if they presented ILI symptoms.

Results: A total of 806 patients (21%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 755 (20%) were positive for other respiratory viruses.

Correction: Characteristics associated with COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses' infections at a single-center emergency department.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Characteristics associated with COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses' infections at a single-center emergency department.

Background: Rapid identification of patients with high suspicion of COVID-19 will become a challenge with the co-circulation of multiple respiratory viruses (RVs). We have identified clinical or biological characteristics to help distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from other RVs.

Methods: We used a prospective cohort including all consecutive patients admitted through the emergency department's (ED) and presenting respiratory symptoms from November 2019 to April 2020.