SARS-CoV-2 transmitters have more than three times higher viral loads than non-transmitters - Practical use of viral load for disease control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Quantitative results of SARS-CoV-2 testing reported as viral load copies/mL can provide valuable information, but are rarely used in practice. We analyze whether viral load in the upper respiratory tract is correlated with transmission and disease course and how this information can be used in practice.

Study design

Municipal Health Service (MHS) and clinical patients ≥18 years tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with RT-PCR between June 1 and September 25, 2020 were included. Transmission was defined as an index having at least one contact tested positive. Test delay was defined as the time between symptom onset and SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Results

683 patients were included (656 MHS and 27 clinical patients). The viral load was considerably lower among clinical pat

SUBMITTER: Jajou R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8920080 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature