Upper respiratory tract levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and duration of viral RNA shedding do not differ between patients with mild and severe/critical COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: This study reports longitudinal viral RNA loads from nasopharynx/throat in patients with mild and severe/critical COVID-19. We also investigated whether the duration of symptoms correlated with the duration of viral RNA shedding. A total of 56 patients were included. The highest viral loads occurred early after onset of symptoms. Neither the viral RNA loads in the upper respiratory tract, nor the time to viral RNA clearance differed between patients with mild or severe/critical disease. There was a moderate correlation between number of days with symptoms and number of days with viral RNA shedding in patients with mild COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Yilmaz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7665561 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature