Viral Loads in Clinical Specimens and SARS Manifestations

Viral Loads in Clinical Specimens and SARS Manifestations

I. F. N. Hung, V.C.C. Cheng, A.K.L. Wu, B.S.F. Tang, K. H. Chan, C.M. Chu, M.M.L. Wong, W.T. Hui, L. L. M. Poon, D.M.W. Tse, K.S. Chan, P.C.Y. Woo, S.K.P. Lau, J.S.M. Peiris, K. Y. Yuen

A retrospective viral load study was performed on clinical specimens from154 patients with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), prospectively collected during patients’ illness. Viral load in nasopharyngeal aspirates (n = 142) from day 10 to day 15 after onset of symptoms was associated with oxygen desaturation, mechanical ventilation, diarrhea, hepatic dysfunction, and death. Serum viral load (n = 53) was associated with oxygen desaturation, mechanical ventilation, and death. Stool viral load (n = 94) was associated with diarrhea, and urine viral load (n = 111) was associated with abnormal urinalysis results. Viral replications at different sites are important in the pathogenesis of clinical and laboratory abnormalities of SARS.

2004

SARS, Viral load, RT-qPCR, research, Hong Kong

DOI: 10.3201/eid1009.040058

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Infectious and parasitic diseases, Medicine

EN