Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load kinetics using digital PCR.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The relationship between the viral kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 and clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Methods

A convenience sample of 955 remnant nasopharyngeal swabs collected during routine care between 11/18/20 and 9/26/21 were analyzed using digital PCR and associated clinical data extracted from the medical record. 18 individuals had >1 sample within 30 days of onset of symptoms.

Results

Paired samples were an average of 6 [range: 0-13] days apart. Four individuals sampled twice on the same day had a median 0.52 log₁₀ viral load difference between samples. Of the remaining, 12 individuals had a decrease in viral load over time, with an average decay of -0.23 log₁₀/day.

Conclusions

Our study found a similar rate of viral decay to

SUBMITTER: Hastie E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10590800 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature