Characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Shedding and Predictors of Viral Culture Positivity on Vaccinated Healthcare Workers With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019. (22nd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luna-Muschi, Alessandra; Noguera, Saidy Vásconez; Borges, Igor C; De Paula, Anderson V; Côrtes, Marina Farrel; Larocca, Carolina; Mari, Julia Ferreira; Guimarães, Lara Silva Pereira; Torres, Pablo Munoz; Scaccia, Nazareno; Villas-Boas, Lucy S; da Silva, Almir Ribeiro; Andrade, Pâmela S; Teixeira, Juliana C; Escadafal, Camille; de Oliveira, Vitor Falcão; Tozetto-Mendoza, Tania R; Mendes-Correa, Maria Cássia; Levin, Anna S; Sabino, Ester C; Costa, Silvia F
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 226:Number 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1726
• Page End: 1730
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22
• Subjects: RT-PCR -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Omicron variant -- rapid antigen test -- viral culture; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: In this prospective cohort of 30 vaccinated healthcare workers with mild Omicron variant infection, we evaluated viral culture, rapid antigen test (RAT), and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of respiratory samples at days 5, 7, 10, and 14. Viral culture was positive in 46% (11/24) and 20% (6/30) of samples at days 5 and 7, respectively. RAT and RT-PCR (Ct ≤35) showed 100% negative predictive value (NPV), with positive predictive values (PPVs) of 32% and 17%, respectively, for predicting viral culture positivity. A lower RT-PCR threshold (Ct ≤24) improved culture prediction (PPV = 39%; NPV = 100%). Vaccinated persons with mild Omicron infection are potentially transmissible up to day 7. RAT and RT-PCR might be useful tools for shortening the isolation period. Abstract : We evaluated the duration of viral culture positivity compared to rapid antigen test (RAT) and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in mild Omicron infection. Vaccinated persons are potentially transmissible up to day 7. RAT and RT-PCR are predictors of viral culture positivity.