A Systematic Review of the Clinical Utility of Cycle Threshold Values in the Context of COVID-19

Background The ability to predict likely prognosis and infectiousness for patients with COVID-19 would aid patient management decisions. Diagnosis is usually via real-time PCR, and it is unclear whether the semi-quantitative capability of this method, determining viral load through cycle threshold (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infectious diseases and therapy 2020-09, Vol.9 (3), p.573-586
Main Authors: Rao, Sonia N., Manissero, Davide, Steele, Victoria R., Pareja, Josep
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
COVID-19
Cycle threshold
Development and progression
Health aspects
Infection
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Lymphocytes
Medical research
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Medicine, Experimental
PCR
Prognosis
Review
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Viral load
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Summary:Background The ability to predict likely prognosis and infectiousness for patients with COVID-19 would aid patient management decisions. Diagnosis is usually via real-time PCR, and it is unclear whether the semi-quantitative capability of this method, determining viral load through cycle threshold (Ct) values, can be leveraged. Objectives We aim to review available knowledge on correlations between SARS-COV-2 Ct values and patient- or healthcare-related outcomes to determine whether Ct values provide useful clinical information. Sources A PubMed search was conducted on 1 June 2020 based on a search strategy of (Ct value OR viral load) AND SARS-CoV-2. Data were extracted from studies reporting on the presence or absence of an association between Ct values, or viral loads determined via Ct value, and clinical outcomes. Content Data from 18 studies were relevant for inclusion. One study reported on the correlation between Ct values and mortality and one study reported on the correlation between Ct values and progression to severe disease; both reported a significant association ( p  
ISSN:2193-8229
2193-6382
DOI:10.1007/s40121-020-00324-3