Clinical characteristics and viral load dynamics of COVID-19 in a mildly or moderately symptomatic outpatient sample

Abstract

Background Studies of outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19 are uncommon. We studied: 1) association of symptoms with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results; and 2) association of initial RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) in relation to duration of RT-PCR positivity in outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19. Methods This was a cohort study of outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 and at least one symptom. Participants had repeat nasopharyngeal swabs and symptom checklists every 3–5 days until two consecutive RT-PCR tests were negative. RT-PCR tests were used to assess viral load. Antibody tests for COVID-19 were performed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after symptom onset. Results Twenty-five patients (nine females) were enrolled, ranging in age from 19–58 (median age 28 years). All patients reported at least one symptom, with a median of six symptoms per patient. Symptoms persisted for 6–67 days (median duration 18 days). In all 25 patients, blood samples collected a median of 13 days after symptom onset were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 15 (60%). After a median of 28 days following symptom onset, 23/23 patients with available samples tested positive for antibodies. The longest duration of positive RT-PCR test was 49 days from first positive PCR test (Mean = 27.4, SD = 12.5, Median = 24). Initial Ct was significantly associated with longer duration (β = -1.3, SE = 0.3, p<0.01 per 1 cycle higher) of RT-PCR positivity. Conclusions In mildly or moderately ill COVID-19 outpatients, RT-PCT tests remained positive for as long as 49 days and test positivity and symptom duration correlated with initial viral load.

Biomimetic nanoplasmonic sensor for rapid evaluation of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies as antiviral therapy

“…S3 ). Furthermore, it is important to remark that the range of virus concentrations employed in this study correspond to most common viral loads found in COVID-19 patients at early stages of the infection ( Caplan et al, 2021 ; Soria et al, 2021 ), being therefore appropriate for the evaluation of antiviral therapies for early treatment.…”

Outlook of probable association of TGF-β1, viral load, with levels of some serum biomarkers and their role in the severity of COVID-19 in a sample of Iraqi population

“…With respect to the length time of the problem with clinical introductions, the current uncovered that there was a noteworthy affiliation (P<0.05) with the out come . In past study, it was concluded that in decently debilitated COVID-19 outpatients, genuine time -PCR tests held on positive along 49 days (47). Additionally, the test inspiration and term of the indication term related essentially with the introductory viral stack (47).…”

“…In past study, it was concluded that in decently debilitated COVID-19 outpatients, genuine time -PCR tests held on positive along 49 days (47). Additionally, the test inspiration and term of the indication term related essentially with the introductory viral stack (47). The height of viral stack is exceptionally conceivably to be the vital figure forcing overburden to body's resistant reaction that would be go with movement into extreme sickness (48).…”

Evaluation of symptomatology and viral load among residents and healthcare staff in long-term care facilities: A coronavirus disease 2019 retrospective case-cohort study

“…Hence, transmission often takes place before adequate control measures have been taken. Although a multitude of studies have compared the prevalence of symptoms between COVID-19 negative and COVID-19 positive LTCF residents, most had a limited number of residents or observed symptoms [1,[24][25][26][27][28][29]. Additionally, few studies have examined the relationship between viral load and symptoms.…”

“…Viral load can be used as an indication for the degree of infectiousness and the prognosis of COVID-19 [26,[30][31][32]. LTCFs would benefit from a better understanding of which symptoms are related to different levels of viral load, as well as how viral load differs between LTCF staff and residents, for men and women.…”