SARS-CoV-2 viral load is associated with increased disease severity and mortality.
The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and risk of disease progression remains largely undefined in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we quantify SARS-CoV-2 viral load from participants with a diverse range of COVID-19 disease severity, including those requiring hospitalization, outpatients with mild disease, and individuals with resolved infection. We detected SARS-CoV-2 plasma RNA in 27% of hospitalized participants, and 13% of outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19. Amongst the participants hospitalized with COVID-19, we report that a higher prevalence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 plasma viral load is associated with worse respiratory disease severity, lower absolute lymphocyte counts, and increased markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein and IL-6. SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, especially plasma viremia, are associated with increased risk of mortality. Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 viral loads may aid in the risk stratification of patients with COVID-19, and therefore its role in disease pathogenesis should be further explored.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Viremia
- Viral Load
- Severity of Illness Index
- SARS-CoV-2
- RNA, Viral
- Pneumonia, Viral
- Pandemics
- Middle Aged
- Massachusetts
- Longitudinal Studies
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Viremia
- Viral Load
- Severity of Illness Index
- SARS-CoV-2
- RNA, Viral
- Pneumonia, Viral
- Pandemics
- Middle Aged
- Massachusetts
- Longitudinal Studies