SARS-CoV-2 Virus Dynamics in Recently Infected People—Data From a Household Transmission Study. (5th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mellis, Alexandra M; Meece, Jennifer K; Halasa, Natasha B; Chappell, James D; McLean, Huong Q; Grijalva, Carlos G; Hanson, Kayla E; Zhu, Yuwei; Kim, Ahra; Deyoe, Jessica; Ivacic, Lynn C; Reed, Carrie; Talbot, H Keipp; Rolfes, Melissa A
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 226:Number 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1699
• Page End: 1703
• Publication Date: 2022-05-05
• Subjects: SARS-CoV-2 -- cycle threshold values -- age -- viral dynamics -- RT-PCR; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: We used daily real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results from 67 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a household transmission study, conducted April 2020–May 2021, to examine the trajectory of cycle threshold (Ct) values, an inverse correlate of viral RNA concentration. Ct values varied across RT-PCR platforms and by participant age. Specimens collected from children and adolescents had higher Ct values and adults aged ≥50 years showed lower Ct values than adults aged 18–49 years. Ct values were lower on days when participants reported experiencing symptoms, with the lowest Ct value occurring 2–6 days after symptom onset. Abstract : Among incident cases sampled daily, we found higher cycle threshold (Ct) values in children and adolescents, lower in older adults, lower Ct values on symptomatic days. Lowest Ct values occurred 2–6 days after symptoms started.