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Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lee, MJ
Published in: Expert Rev Mol Diagn
October 2021

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a novel viral agent that quickly spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and had an immeasurable toll on the economy. Currently, most clinical cases are identified by qualitative molecular testing. However, the need for quantitative assessment is gaining traction.Areas covered: In this review, the current state and future perspective of SARS-CoV-2 viral load quantification is presented.Expert opinion: Viral load quantification is a critical measure that informs clinicians of treatment response, actionable viral load levels, and guidance on patient management. Additionally, for pathogens with epidemiological consequences, viral load can provide information to guide infection control measures and policies. While qualitative detection is sufficient to identify cases and initiate containment and mitigation measures in the vast majority of COVID-19 cases, in certain situations, SARS-CoV-2 quantification is needed to assess viral load trending. However, there are obstacles to quantification, including variability in respiratory specimen collection and the lack of commutable reference material. At the same time, the need for quantification for clinical and epidemiological management is growing, especially concerning individuals with prolonged RNA shedding.

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Published In

Expert Rev Mol Diagn

DOI

EISSN

1744-8352

Publication Date

October 2021

Volume

21

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1017 / 1023

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virus Shedding
  • Viral Load
  • Specimen Handling
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • RNA, Viral
  • Pandemics
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Humans
  • COVID-19
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Lee, M. J. (2021). Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Mol Diagn, 21(10), 1017–1023. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2021.1962709
Lee, Mark J. “Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects.Expert Rev Mol Diagn 21, no. 10 (October 2021): 1017–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2021.1962709.
Lee MJ. Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2021 Oct;21(10):1017–23.
Lee, Mark J. “Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects.Expert Rev Mol Diagn, vol. 21, no. 10, Oct. 2021, pp. 1017–23. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/14737159.2021.1962709.
Lee MJ. Quantifying SARS-CoV-2 viral load: current status and future prospects. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2021 Oct;21(10):1017–1023.
Journal cover image

Published In

Expert Rev Mol Diagn

DOI

EISSN

1744-8352

Publication Date

October 2021

Volume

21

Issue

10

Start / End Page

1017 / 1023

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Virus Shedding
  • Viral Load
  • Specimen Handling
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • RNA, Viral
  • Pandemics
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Humans
  • COVID-19
  • 3202 Clinical sciences