Persistence of clinically relevant levels of SARS-CoV2 envelope gene subgenomic RNAs in non-immunocompromised individuals.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between COVID-19 severity and active viral load, and to characterize the dynamics of active SARS-CoV-2 clearance in a series of archival samples taken from patients in the first wave of COVID-19 infection in the South West of the UK.

Methods

Subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) and E-gene genomic sequences were measured in a retrospective collection of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from 176 individuals, and related to disease severity. Viral clearance dynamics were then assessed in relation to symptom onset and last positive test.

Results

Whilst E-gene sgRNAs declined before E-gene genomic sequences, some individuals retained sgRNA positivity for up to 68 days. 13% of sgRNA-positive cases still exhibited clinicall

SUBMITTER: Davies M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8757659 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature