Passive Microwave Radiometry (MWR) for diagnostics of COVID-19 lung complications
Authors: Osmonov Batyr , Ovchinnikov Lev , Galazis Christopher , Emilov Berik , Karaibragimov Mustafa , Seitov Meder , Vesnin Sergey , Mustafin Chingiz , Kasymbekov Turat , Goryanin Igor 
Published: October 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. It becomes clear that the virus is spreading mostly deadly due to limited access to diagnostics tests and equipment. Traditional radiography and CT remain the main methods of the initial examination of the chest organs. Now, most of the diagnostics has been focused on PCR, chest X-Ray/CT manifestations of COVID-19. However, there are problems with CT due to infection control issues, the inefficiencies introduced in CT room decontamination, and lack of CT availability in LMIC (Low Middle Income Countries). Passive microwave radiometry (MWR) is a cheap, non-radioactive and portable technology. It has already been used for diagnostics of cancer, and other diseases. We have tested if MWR could be used for early diagnostics of pulmonary COVID-19 complications. This was a randomized controlled trial (195 subjects) to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostics using MWR in patients with pneumonia caused by COVID-19 while they are in hospitals of Kyrgyzstan, and healthy individuals.

We have measured skin (IR) and internal (MWR) temperatures by recording passive electromagnetic radiation through the chest wall in the projection of the lungs at 30 symmetrical points on both sides. Pneumonia and lung damage were diagnosed by X-RAY/CT scan and doctor final diagnosis (pn+/pn-). COVID-19 was determined by PCR test (covid+/covid-). The best results were obtained between pn-/covid- and pn+/covid+ groups with sensitivity 92% and specificity 75%.Overall, the study suggests that the use of MWR is a convenient and safe method for screening diagnostics in COVID-19 patients with suspected pneumonia. Since MWR is an inexpensive, it will ease the financial burden for both patients and the countries, especially in LMIC

Summary statement

Categorization of COVID-19 caused pneumonia suspicion by MWR has good diagnostic perspectives. It could be done in clinics or for mass screening to identify potential COVID-19 patients with lung complications.

Background

The use of chest CT for COVID-19 and PCR diagnosis in healthcare settings with limited PCR and CT capacity is controversial. MWR categorization of the level of COVID-19 suspicion of lung complications might improve diagnostic performance.

Purpose

To investigate the value of MWR in addition to CT and COVID-19 PCR scans and to determine its diagnostic performance in individuals with COVID-19 symptoms during hospital admission and rehabilitation.

Materials and Methods

In this trial (Kyrgyz Committee Clinical Trial Number: 01-2/141 27 May 2020), from June, 1 2020 to August, 1 2020, we performed parallel MWR, PCR and CT tests, for individuals with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital for medical emergencies related to COVID-19 and pneumonia suspicion. Siemens Ecoline CT scanner, and HITACHI, Radnext 50 Chest X-Ray was used. RT-PCR test were done using “DNA technology” companyhttps://www.dna-technology.ru/equipmentpr/nabory-reagentov-dlya-pcr-infekcii-respiratornogo-trakta/sars-cov-2sars-cov). For MWR and IR measurements RTM-01-RES was used MMWR LTD, UK (www.mmwr.co.uk)

Results

This was a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of diagnostics of COVID-19 (covid-/covid+) and pneumonia (pn+/pn-) using passive microwave radiometry (MWR) in patients while they are in hospital, and healthy individuals. We have measured internal (MWR) and skin (IR) temperature on 195 subjects. 149 of them were hospitalized with pneumonia symptoms to Medical center of KSMA and BICARD clinic. Pneumonia and lung damage were diagnosed by X-RAY/CT scans and radiologists lung damage assessment (pn+/pn-). COVID-19 was determined by PCR test (covid+/covid-). The best diagnostics results were obtained between pn-/covid- and pn+/covid+ groups with sensitivity 92% and specificity 75%.

Conclusion

The study suggests that the use of MWR is a convenient and safe method for screening diagnostics in COVID-19 patients with suspected pneumonia. Since MWR is inexpensive, it will ease the financial burden for both patients and the countries, especially in LMIC.