Evaluation of the relationship between progression and SARS-CoV-2 viral load in COVID-19 cases in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 may present with varying clinical pictures. This study aimed to examine the relationship between viral load cycle threshold value, clinical prognosis and other laboratory parameters in initial swab samples on the day of hospitalization.

Methodology: This retrospective and cross-sectional study included 112 patients, who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 via the Bio-Rad CFX96 TouchTM system. Cycle threshold values for the RdRp gene obtained from reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction positive patients were recorded.

Results: The mean age of the 112 patients was 47.57 ± 17 years. No relationship was found in symptoms, pneumonia, oxygen need, follow-up in intensive care unit, and mortality between patient groups with cycle threshold values of < 30 and ≥ 30. Frequencies of thrombocytopenia (50%) and elevated LDH levels were higher in patients with cycle threshold values of ≥ 30 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively). There was a weak but significant correlation between cycle threshold values and CRP levels (Pearson’s r = 0.207, p = 0.029).

Conclusions: Symptoms or clinical prognosis were not significantly related to the SARS-CoV-2 viral load levels tested at admission or for the first time within the scope of this study. Thrombocytopenia and elevated LDH rates were higher in patients with cycle threshold values of ≥ 30. A weak but significant correlation was found between the viral load and CRP levels. Large-scale studies are needed to further elucidate this subject matter.