Viral Load Kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in First Two Patients in Korea `kim2020viral`

The authors present viral load kinetics for the first two confirmed COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate illness in Korea. Swabs, sputum, serum, plasma, urine, and stool samples were collected throughout the illness. Cycle threshold (Ct) values were quantified using rRT-PCR targeting the RdRp and E genes. Data were obtained from the supplementary material.

Analytes

sputum_SARSCoV2_RdRp

Cycle threshold (Ct) values were quantified using rRT-PCR targeting the RdRp gene in sputum samples. Ct values were then converted into estimated viral copies per mL, with a detection limit of 2,690 copies/mL. The RNA copy number was calculated by the authors using a standard curve derived from Ct values of plasmid DNA, as noted in the supplementary material.

Biomarker: SARS-CoV-2

Specimen: sputum

Units: gc/mL

Gene target: RdRp

Participants: 2

Negative samples: 10

Positive samples (not quantifiable): 0

Quantifiable samples: 10

Limit of quantification: 2690

Limit of detection: unknown

swab_SARSCoV2_RdRp

Cycle threshold (Ct) values were quantified using rRT-PCR targeting the RdRp gene in swab samples. Ct values were then converted into estimated viral copies per mL, with a detection limit of 2,690 copies/mL. The RNA copy number was calculated by the authors using a standard curve derived from Ct values of plasmid DNA, as noted in the supplementary material.

Biomarker: SARS-CoV-2

Specimen: nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab