Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold values vis-à-vis anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from a high incidence region

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Antje Torge, PhD¹  María A. Gutierrez-Stampa, MD, PhD²  José Maria Marimón, PharmD³  Beatriz Nafría, BSc⁴  Jesus M. Banales, PhD⁵  Ralf Junker, MD⁵  Klaus-Peter Wandinger, MD⁶  Justina Dargvainiene⁶  Andre Franke, MD⁶  Robert Markewitz, MD⁶  Daniela Pauli, MD⁶  Luis Bujanda, MD, PhD⁷ 

[1] Corresponding author: Robert Markewitz, MD, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Alle 160, 23560 Lübeck, Germany. Tel.: [phone].;National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, “Instituto de Salud Carlos III”), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastián, Spain;University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany;Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Infectious Diseases Area, Respiratory Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Group, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Donostialdea Integrated Health Organisation, Microbiology Department, San Sebastián, Spain;Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastián, Spain;Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Lübeck, Germany;;Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel &

关键词: SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;    RT-qPCR;    Ct value;    anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract::Objectives: To examine the relationship between antibody status and cycle threshold (Ct) values, the prognostic value of the latter for COVID-19 patients, and the inter-assay comparability of SARS-CoV-2 Ct values. Methods: In 347 COVID-19 inpatients, SARS-CoV-2 Ct values (via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction) on admission were compared between 2 assays and correlated with the antibody response (in the course of the disease), the clinical course and the time since onset of symptoms. Results: Ct values for 2 of 3 target genes showed significant differences between the 2 assays used (P=0.012 and P<0.0001). Ct values were significantly higher for antibody positive patients (P<0.0001) and positively correlated with the amount of time since onset of symptoms (R: 0.332–0.363; P<0.001). Patients with fatal outcomes showed higher viral loads than survivors (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Ct values depend strongly on assay used and target gene examined and should not be used as quantitative values to guide therapeutic or diagnostic decisions. The inverse association between antibody status and viral load suggests that antibodies contribute to the elimination of the virus, independent of the outcome, which is influenced by the viral load on admission and might depend more strongly on other parts of the immune response.

【 授权许可】

Unknown