Factors Influencing Viral Clearance in Mild COVID-19 and Clinical Characteristics of Asymptomatic Patients. (27th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shu, Hong-mei; He, Shi; Sun, Yong; Lin, Chang-qing; Lu, Yu-fang; Liu, Jing; Wu, Ting; Li, Li; Ding, Guo-zheng; Shi, Wei; Liu, Zhen-jun
• Other Names: Quinn Frederick D. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: BioMed research international. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-27
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/5909612
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-6133

Abstract

Abstract : Background . The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global public health emergency. Objective . To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in Anhui and to identify predictors of viral clearance. Methods . We retrospectively analyzed the data collected from discharged patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. We compared clinical features between viral clearance and viral persistence, and evaluated factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 shedding using multiple linear regression. Results . Among the 83 patients involved in the study, the median age was 43 years, while 60.2% were male, 35.4% had comorbidities, and the mortality was zero. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days (interquartile range (IQR), 2-7 days), and the median time from the illness onset to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection was 16 days (IQR, 13-18 days). The factors influencing viral clearance were as follows: (1) delayed admission (beta 1.057, 95% CI 0.810-1.304; p ≤ 0.001 ) and (2) underlying comorbidities (beta 1.907, 95% CI 0.198-3.616; p = 0.029 ). No significant differences were observed in the length of stay (p = 0.246 ) and pneumonia between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients based on computed tomography (CT) (p = 0.124 ). Conclusions . Delayed admission and underlying comorbidities may effectively predict SARS-CoV-2 RNA clearance. For those infected with SARS-CoV-2, even asymptomatic patients without any clinical symptoms should be traced and isolated. This practice may reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and slow the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the virus. Clinical Trial Registration Number : This trial is registered with 2020-051.