Factors Associated with Prolonged RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 Positive Testing in Patients with Mild and Moderate Forms of COVID-19: A Retrospective Study

Background and objectives: This article aims to evaluate the number of days necessary for patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 to reach undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract specimens. As a secondary objective, we sought to establish a correlation between...

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Published in:Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2022-05, Vol.58 (6), p.707
Main Authors: Motoc, Nicoleta Stefania, Ruta, Victoria-Maria, Man, Milena Adina, Ungur, Rodica Ana, Ciortea, Viorela Mihaela, Irsay, Laszlo, Nicola, Andrea, Valean, Dan, Usatiuc, Lia Oxana, Matei, Ileana Rodica, Borda, Ileana Monica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Body mass index
Chronic diseases
Chronic illnesses
Complications and side effects
Consent
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Hospitalization
Hospitals
Immunocompetence
Laboratories
Measurement
Pandemics
Patients
Pneumonia
prolonged viral load
risk factors
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Variables
viral clearance
Viremia
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Summary:Background and objectives: This article aims to evaluate the number of days necessary for patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 to reach undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract specimens. As a secondary objective, we sought to establish a correlation between different conditions associated with longer viral load as this could result in a longer period of contagion and infectivity. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study. A total of 70 patients with confirmed mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 were enrolled in our study. Results: Number of days with traceable viral load was 25.93 (±6.02) days in patients with mild COVID-19 and 26.97 (±8.30) in moderate form (p = 0.72). Age, male gender, and obesity, along with several chronic conditions (cardiac, liver, renal, and neurological disease), were associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR test from the nasal swab (therefore prolonged viral load). These are in general, risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19. Conclusions: There are several conditions associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR in mild and moderate forms of COVID-19. As to why and what is the significance of it remains to be studied.
ISSN:1648-9144
1010-660X
1648-9144
DOI:10.3390/medicina58060707