Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [b] Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [c] Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [d] Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey | [e] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Turkmenbasi Medical Center, Adana, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Osman Ciloglu, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Mithat Özhan Bulvarı Kışla Mah. No. 1, 01370, Adana, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It has not yet been fully established that there is coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involvement in the synovial fluid and it remains a topic of debate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in knee joint synovial fluid of patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with an initial screening of patients who were admitted to a tertiary pandemic hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms, and underwent treatment for COVID-19 between March and June 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2476 patients were hospitalized or received treatment for a possible diagnosis of COVID-19. While the RT-PCR test was positive in 318 patients (12.8%), 2158 (87.2%) were computed tomography positive but reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative. Twelve patients were consulted due to acute joint effusion. Of five patients with knee joint effusion and a positive RT-PCR test, the synovial tissue RT-PCR test was positive in only one patient. CONCLUSION: This paper is the first to show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in synovial fluid. This can be considered of importance for the determination and elimination of the route of transmission, thereby preventing further development and spread of the disease.
