Abstract
Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a fast and non-invasive modality for the diagnosis of several diseases. In humans, LUS is nowadays of additional value for bedside screening of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. However, the diagnostic value of LUS in SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus monkeys, with mild-to-moderate disease, is unknown. The aim of this observational study was to explore correlations of the LUS appearance of abnormalities with COVID-19-related lesions detected on computed tomography (CT). There were 28 adult female rhesus monkeys infected with SARS-CoV-2 included in this study. Chest CT and LUS were obtained pre-infection and 2-, 7-, and 14-days post infection. Twenty-five animals were sub-genomic PCR positive in their nose/throat swab for at least 1 day. CT images were scored based on the degree of involvement for lung lobe. LUS was scored based on the aeration and abnormalities for each part of the lungs, blinded to CT findings. Most common lesions observed on CT were ground glass opacities (GGOs) and crazy paving patterns. With LUS, confluent or multiple B-lines with or without pleural abnormalities were observed which is corresponding with GGOs on CT. The agreement between the two modalities was similar over the examination days. Pleural line abnormalities were clearly observed with LUS, but could be easily missed on CT. Nevertheless, due to the air interface LUS was not able to examine the complete volume of the lung. The sensitivity of LUS was high though the diagnostic efficacy for mild-to-moderate disease, as seen in macaques, was relatively low. This leaves CT the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis, monitoring, and longitudinal assessment of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.
Highlights
Ultrasonography, in general, is a highly sensitive imaging technique already widely used and nowadays for bedside thoracic evaluation [1]
We observed that with both chest computed tomography (CT) and lung ultrasound (LUS) we can detect lung pathology after SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus monkeys and that the agreement between the two modalities is similar over the study days
The additional value of chest CTs in COVID-19 [18, 19] is already known but for LUS this is a new finding in macaques
Summary
Ultrasonography, in general, is a highly sensitive imaging technique already widely used and nowadays for bedside thoracic evaluation [1]. For the diagnosis of lung pathologies with ultrasonography, ultrasound artifacts are used for interpretation. Air is the main component of healthy lungs which scatters and impedes the transmission of the sound waves. As the surface of the pleural wall is a strong reflector of the sound waves, it creates artifacts containing information about the lung pathophysiology [2]. Lesions that are not attached or associated with the pleural wall will be missed due to impedance of air in between the lesion and pleural wall. The viral agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes an infection in which the majority of the lesions seems to be located in the subpleural regions of the lungs, increasing the likelihood of appearance during lung ultrasound (LUS) and additional value of this modality [3,4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
