Ct values from SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic PCR assays should not be used as direct estimates of viral load. Issue 3 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dahdouh, Elias; Lázaro-Perona, Fernando; Romero-Gómez, María Pilar; Mingorance, Jesús; García-Rodriguez, Julio
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection. Volume 82:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 451
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- qPCR -- Ct; Infection -- Periodicals; Bacterial Infections -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.10.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-4453

Abstract

Highlights: The amount of material collected by nasopharyngeal swabs is imprecise. The determinations of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads from Ct s ignore this error source. SARS-CoV-2 Ct s should be normalized with an internal marker to correct this errors. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract