Evaluation of thorax computed tomographic findings in COVID-19 variant cases

BACKGROUND: Because of genetic mutations occurring during viral replication, new SARS-CoV-2 variants will continue to emerge. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thorax computed tomographic (CT) findings have played a crucial role in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with COVID-19. In this study, we compared the thorax CT findings of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants (variant group) with those of patients infected with the non-variant strain (non-variant group) to assess if thorax CT findings may be utilized to discriminate between the groups. Furthermore, we compared demographic and laboratory data between the groups. METHODS: The study comprised a total of 77 patients who presented to our hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of COVID-19 based on clinical symptoms, a positive oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR testing, and thorax CT examinations. Patients' laboratory and demographic features as well as thorax CT findings were retrospectively evaluated, and the results were grouped according to RT-PCR results. RESULTS: There were 42 patients in the non-variant group and 35 patients in the variant group. The average age of patients infected with the non-variant strain, alpha variant, and gamma variant was 63.52 ± 14.87 years, 54.86 ± 14.31 years, and 59.4 ± 17.79 years, respectively. The average age of the variant group was significantly lower than that of the non-variant group. There was no significant difference in thorax CT findings between the groups, and consolidation, ground glass densities, and cobblestone pattern in the bilateral lower lobes and peripheral areas were the most common thorax CT findings in both the groups. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in thorax CT findings between the variant and non-variant groups. Therefore, clinical and laboratory characteristics should take precedence over thorax CT findings for distinguishing between patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants and the non-variant strain.