Longitudinal observation of viral load in patients infected with Omicron variant and its relationship with clinical symptoms

Zhou, Kai; Hu, Bingjie; Zhao, Xinzhuan; Chi, Hongbo; Pan, Juan; Zheng, Yufen; Bi, Xiaojie; Xie, Jun; Xu, Jiaqin; Tung, Tao‐Hsin; Shen, Bo; Zhu, Hua

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.1037733

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…With the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, Ct values tended to peak around the time of symptom onset or even slightly before. 14 However, the pattern right-shifted with the omicron variant; viral burden now tends to peak 1-3 days after symptom onset, 15,16 which is consistent with our findings.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Cycle threshold dynamics of non–severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory viruses

Ehrenzeller,

Zaffini,

Pecora

et al. 2024

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Many providers use severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cycle thresholds (Ct values) as approximate measures of viral burden in association with other clinical data to inform decisions about treatment and isolation. We characterized temporal changes in Ct values for non–SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses as a first step to determine whether cycle thresholds could play a similar role in the management of non–SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston. Methods: We retrospectively identified all adult patients with positive nasopharyngeal PCRs for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), rhinovirus, or adenovirus between January 2022 and March 2023. We plotted Ct distributions relative to days since symptom onset, and we assessed whether distributions varied by immunosuppression and other comorbidities. Results: We analyzed 1,863 positive samples: 506 influenza, 502 rhinovirus, 430 RSV, 219 HMPV, 180 parainfluenza, 26 adenovirus. Ct values were generally 25–30 on the day of symptom onset, lower over the ensuing 1–3 days, and progressively higher thereafter with Ct values ≥30 after 1 week for most viruses. Ct values were generally higher and more stable over time for rhinovirus. There was no association between immunocompromised status and median intervals from symptom onset until Ct values were ≥30. Conclusions: Ct values relative to symptom onset for influenza, RSV, and other non–SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses generally mirror patterns seen with SARS-CoV-2. Further data on associations between Ct values and viral viability, transmissibility, host characteristics, and response to treatment for non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses are needed to determine how clinicians and infection preventionists might integrate Ct values into treatment and isolation decisions.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Cycle threshold dynamics of non–severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory viruses

Ehrenzeller,

Zaffini,

Pecora

et al. 2024

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Limited by the sampling before symptom onset, it is still uncertain what the viral loads were in oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal sites before symptom onset. However, it can be preliminarily speculated that the viral load in oropharyngeal specimens may have reached its peak before symptoms appeared, as multiple studies have shown that Omicron is highest 2–5 days after symptoms [ 20 , 21 ] and declines significantly after around 10 days [ 22 ], with the virus being detected early in the oropharynx, but at higher and more persistent levels in the nose [ 23 ]. Similarly, for XBB.1*cases, we observed that the clearance period of nasopharyngeal swabs was 11.87 days, which was shorter than that of BA.5* infections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Infections in Two Epidemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants: A Cohort Study in Guangzhou, China

Qu,

Xie,

Qiu

et al. 2024

Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: After the adjustment of COVID-19 epidemic policy, mainland China experienced two consecutive waves of Omicron variants within a seven-month period. In Guangzhou city, as one of the most populous regions, the viral infection characteristics, molecular epidemiology, and the dynamic of population immunity are still elusive. Methods: We launched a prospective cohort study in the Guangdong Provincial CDC from December 2022 to July 2023. Fifty participants who received the same vaccination regimen and had no previous infection were recruited. Results: 90% of individuals were infected with Omicron BA.5* variants within three weeks in the first wave. Thirteen cases (28.26%) experienced infection with XBB.1* variants, occurring from 14 weeks to 21 weeks after the first wave. BA.5* infections exhibited higher viral loads in nasopharyngeal sites compared to oropharyngeal sites. Compared to BA.5* infections, the XBB.1* infections had significantly milder clinical symptoms, lower viral loads, and shorter durations of virus positivity. The infection with the BA.5* variant elicited varying levels of neutralizing antibodies against XBB.1* among different individuals, even with similar levels of BA.5* antibodies. The level of neutralizing antibodies specific to XBB.1* determined the risk of reinfection. Conclusions: The rapid large-scale infections of the Omicron variants have quickly established herd immunity among the population in mainland China. In the future of the COVID-19 epidemic, a lower infection rate but a longer duration can be expected. Given the large population size and ongoing diversified herd immunity, it remains crucial to closely monitor the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 for the emergence of new variants of concern in this region. Additionally, the timely evaluation of the immune status across different age groups is essential for informing future vaccination strategies and intervention policies.

show abstract

“…Morang'a et al [43] indicate in their 3). Other studies have also reported that Omicron (B.1.1.529.2) infections are associated with severe forms of infection with reported high viral loads [46,47] and severe symptoms [48]. Te increased infectiousness of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529.2) stems from immune escape due to altered spike-in antigens [49,50].…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 Circulating Genotypes Te Fndings Of This Study In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 within Accra Metropolis Postlockdown

Aboagye,

Annison,

Hackman

et al. 2024

Advances in Virology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction. Currently, sequencing has been the only tool for the identification of circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. However, it is known to be an expensive and laborious approach involving high technical expertise. Considering the reduced adherence to preventive measures postlockdown in Accra, this study presents an alternative method that leverages polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Accra Metropolis postlockdown. Methods. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2022. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 268 consenting participants. Samples were subjected to nucleic acid extraction and followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were subsequently subjected to variant identification using rapid PCR. Findings. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis was 30.2%. The majority of the SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed in females, participants aged 41–50 years, and symptomatic participants. Participants aged ≤10 years and females recorded the highest viral load while participants aged 41–50 years recorded the highest number of infections. The SARS-CoV-2 variants detected were Alpha (64.2%), Delta (22.2%), and Omicron (13.6%). Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection identified were chills, cough, headache, body weakness, sore throat, and dyspnoea in order of decreasing association with SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was a strong association between symptom status, gender, age, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion. There was a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 within the Accra Metropolis postlockdown within the sampling period. The Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2 is the predominant circulating variant, and persons presenting with symptoms are most likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Children aged ≤10 years serve as a reservoir for infection transmission.

show abstract

Longitudinal observation of viral load in patients infected with Omicron variant and its relationship with clinical symptoms

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

Cycle threshold dynamics of non–severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory viruses

Cycle threshold dynamics of non–severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory viruses

Characterizing Infections in Two Epidemic Waves of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variants: A Cohort Study in Guangzhou, China

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 within Accra Metropolis Postlockdown

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About