학술논문

Is SARS-CoV-2 viral load a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients?
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Dogan L; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Intensive Care Unit, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.; Allahverdiyeva A; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Önel M; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Meşe S; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Saka Ersin E; Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Anaklı İ; Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Sarıkaya ZT; Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Zengin R; Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.; Gucyetmez B; Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Yurtturan Uyar N; Department of Medical Microbiology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Özcan PE; Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Kocagöz AS; Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.; Uysal HK; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.; Akinci İO; Intensive Care Unit, Acibadem Altunizade Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.; Ağaçfidan A; Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Source
Publisher: Sage Publications Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0346411 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1473-2300 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03000605 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Int Med Res Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Objective: Viral load varies during infection and is higher during the initial stages of disease. Given the importance of the intensive care unit (ICU) in the late stages of COVID-19 infection, analyzing cycle threshold values to detect viral load upon ICU admission can be a clinically valuable tool for identifying patients with the highest mortality risk.
Methods: This was a retrospectively designed study. Patients older than 18 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and had a PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratio <200 were included in the study. The patient population was divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors.
Results: Two hundred patients were included in the study. In non-survivors, age, relevant ICU admission scores, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher whereas PaO 2 /FiO 2 ratios and cycle threshold levels were significantly lower than in survivors.
Conclusion: Viral load at ICU admission has significant prognostic value. In combination with age, comorbidities, and severity scores, viral load may assist clinicians in identifying individuals who need more intensive monitoring. Increased awareness may improve outcomes by allowing the more effective monitoring and treatment of patients. More prospective studies are needed to determine how a high viral load worsens disease and how to avoid irreversible results.