Factors Associated with Prolonged RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 Positive Testing in Patients with Mild and Moderate Forms of COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Nicoleta Stefania Motoc,
Victoria-Maria Ruta,
Milena Adina Man,
Rodica Ana Ungur,
Viorela Mihaela Ciortea,
Laszlo Irsay,
Andrea Nicola,
Dan Valean,
Lia Oxana Usatiuc,
Ileana Rodica Matei,
Ileana Monica Borda
Affiliations
Nicoleta Stefania Motoc
Department of Medical Sciences-Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Victoria-Maria Ruta
“Leon Daniello” Clinical Hospital of Pneumophtysiology, 400371 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Milena Adina Man
Department of Medical Sciences-Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rodica Ana Ungur
Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, ”Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Viorela Mihaela Ciortea
Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, ”Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Laszlo Irsay
Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, ”Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andrea Nicola
Department of Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Dan Valean
Department of General Surgery, Fifth Medical Clinic, No 11 Tăbăcarilor Street, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Lia Oxana Usatiuc
“Iuliu-Hațieganu” PhD Student, Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ileana Rodica Matei
Plastic Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ileana Monica Borda
Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, ”Iuliu-Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Background and objectives: This article aims to evaluate the number of days necessary for patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 to reach undetectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract specimens. As a secondary objective, we sought to establish a correlation between different conditions associated with longer viral load as this could result in a longer period of contagion and infectivity. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study. A total of 70 patients with confirmed mild and moderate forms of COVID-19 were enrolled in our study. Results: Number of days with traceable viral load was 25.93 (±6.02) days in patients with mild COVID-19 and 26.97 (±8.30) in moderate form (p = 0.72). Age, male gender, and obesity, along with several chronic conditions (cardiac, liver, renal, and neurological disease), were associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR test from the nasal swab (therefore prolonged viral load). These are in general, risk factors for severe forms of COVID-19. Conclusions: There are several conditions associated with prolonged positive RT-PCR in mild and moderate forms of COVID-19. As to why and what is the significance of it remains to be studied.
