Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic preoperative patients

Abstract

Background: Surgeries were performed on emergency and trauma patients as well as oncology patients in many centres during the pandemic period. Screening of asymptomatic preoperative patients is very important not only in protecting healthcare personnel but also in preventing nosocomial infections and in protecting patients with deficient or suppressed immune systems. The aim of the current study was to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic preoperative patients during the pandemic period. Methods: A total of 3773 asymptomatic preoperative patients among the 23385 patients were evaluated retrospectively with Rt-qPCR test. The DS CORONEX COVID-19 PCR test (Ver.2.0, DS Bio and nano technology, Turkiye) kit used for the RT-qPCR. PCR test targets the N and Orf1ab gene region specific for SARS-CoV-2. Results: SARS-CoV-2 positivity was significantly lower in the preoperative patient group than in COVID-19 positive patients whose routine test results were positive for other reasons (2.3% vs 23.1%; p<0.0005). Distribution of preoperative SARS-CoV-2 positive patients according to clinics were 7.1% thoracic surgery, 3.7% neurosurgery, 3.5% otolaryngology, 2.6% general surgery and 2.4% urology clinic, respectively. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 positivity was lower in the preoperative patients but this rate never excludes pre-screening of asymptomatic preoperative patients. Applying pre-screening tests to asymptomatic preoperative patients is significant in protecting healthcare personnel and patients with deficient or suppressed immune systems and also preventing nosocomial infections.