Viral dynamics of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and applications to diagnostic and public health strategies kissler2021viral

This study followed 68 people (90% male) during the NBA 2019 to 2020 season with frequent RT-qPCR to map SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA trajectories and 46 had acute infections. A single low Ct (<30) strongly indicates acute infection, and a second PCR within 48 hours helps tell whether someone is early (proliferation) or late (clearance) in infection.

Analytes

AN_OPS_SARSCoV2_ct

SARS-CoV-2 RNA gene copy concentration in combined anterior nares and oropharyngeal swabs. Results were reported in cycle threshold (Ct) values.

Biomarker: SARS-CoV-2
Specimen: anterior nares swab and oropharyngeal swab
Units: cycle threshold
Gene target: N1, N2, RdRp
Participants: 68
Negative samples: 2185
Positive samples (not quantifiable): 0
Quantifiable samples: 226
Limit of quantification: unknown
Limit of detection: 40

AN_OPS_SARSCoV2_viral

Estimated SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome copy concentration measured from combined anterior nares and oropharyngeal swab specimens. Viral load was derived by the study authors by transforming the corresponding Ct values using a Bayesian model implemented in Stan, and results are reported in genome copies per milliliter.

Biomarker: SARS-CoV-2
Specimen: anterior nares swab and oropharyngeal swab
Units: gc/mL
Gene target: N1, N2, RdRp
Participants: 68
Negative samples: 2185
Positive samples (not quantifiable): 0
Quantifiable samples: 226
Limit of quantification: 454.5793278534234
Limit of detection: 454.5793278534234