Objective: Prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage of SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to prolonged hospital stay and delayed radiologic recovery. To determine if clinical risk factors are associated with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage or longer hospital stay, we performed a descriptive analysis of 169 moderate to severe COVID-19 patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital from March to June 2020. Methods: Length of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positivity and clinical demographic data were extracted from existing patient records. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and regression analysis were performed to describe the association of clinical risk factors with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage and length of hospital stay. Results: The median duration of carriage was 19 days (IQR 12.0-30.0 days). No comorbidities or inflammatory markers had a statistically significant association with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage defined as >24 days of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positivity. Characteristics associated with a statistically significant longer hospital stay included chronic kidney disease stages 3-5, severe disease, and use of empiric antibiotics on admission. Prolonged carriage >24 days, hsCRP, and D-dimer at admission, also had a statistically significant but weak correlation with length of stay. Conclusion Among patients with moderate disease, comorbidities and inflammatory markers were not associated with prolonged COVID-19 nasopharyngeal carriage. Prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage >24 days was associated with longer hospital stay, while D-dimer and hsCRP levels at admission, also had statistically significant but small effects on increasing the hospital length of stay
COVID-19 ; Length of Stay

Objective: Prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage of SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to prolonged hospital stay and delayed radiologic recovery. To determine if clinical risk factors are associated with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage or longer hospital stay, we performed a descriptive analysis of 169 moderate to severe COVID-19 patients admitted at the Philippine General Hospital from March to June 2020. Methods: Length of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positivity and clinical demographic data were extracted from existing patient records. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and regression analysis were performed to describe the association of clinical risk factors with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage and length of hospital stay. Results: The median duration of carriage was 19 days (IQR 12.0-30.0 days). No comorbidities or inflammatory markers had a statistically significant association with prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage defined as >24 days of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positivity. Characteristics associated with a statistically significant longer hospital stay included chronic kidney disease stages 3-5, severe disease, and use of empiric antibiotics on admission. Prolonged carriage >24 days, hsCRP, and D-dimer at admission, also had a statistically significant but weak correlation with length of stay. Conclusion Among patients with moderate disease, comorbidities and inflammatory markers were not associated with prolonged COVID-19 nasopharyngeal carriage. Prolonged nasopharyngeal carriage >24 days was associated with longer hospital stay, while D-dimer and hsCRP levels at admission, also had statistically significant but small effects on increasing the hospital length of stay.
COVID-19 ; Length of Stay

The Senior–Loken syndrome was first described in 1961 as an oculo-renal disease consisting of familial juvenile nephronophthisis and Leber congenital amaurosis. It is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with a prevalence of 1:1,000,000 caused by mutations in nine genes (NPHP 1-8 and NPHP 10). Ocular manifestations (e.g., photophobia, nystagmus, and extreme hyperopia) occur within the first few years of life while renal manifestations (e.g., formation of multiple cysts impairing kidney function and end-stage renal disease) appear in late childhood to adolescence. Here, we report a case of a Filipino male presenting with rotatory nystagmus and progressive deterioration of vision since childhood. He had congenital amaurosis and juvenile nephronophthisis that progressed to end stage renal disease by age 19. All laboratory and imaging findings were consistent with chronic kidney disease. Molecular genetic testing of ciliopathy-related genes was performed revealing a homozygous mutation in exon 11 of the IQCB1/NPHP5 gene, c.1090C>T (p.Arg364*). This sequence change created a premature translational stop signal resulting in a truncated protein product, nephrocystin-5 and its consequent loss of function. His symptoms eventually improved with initiation dialysis. The prognosis of Senior–Loken syndrome remains dismal and a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and timely intervention of renal complications are warranted.