Effect of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load on hematological and biochemical parameters

Abstract

proportional to the amount of target sequences present in the sample. In various viral diseases, the induction of inflammatory cytokines is strongly correlated with the viral load. However, the viral kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly characterized, and its association with disease progression remains controversial. This study aimed to understand the correlation between the SARS-CoV-2 viral load and the biochemical and hematological markers in COVID-19-positive patients. Methods: data from patients with detectable viral load for SARS-CoV-2 treated between March 2020 and May 2021 were collected between Jan/2023 and Jan/2024. Data were analyzed using Qui-square test, Student’s t-test, and analysis of variance. Results: the mean Ct values for the N and ORF1AB genes were 26.73 (±3.95) and 25.93 (±4.75), respectively. A Ct value below the mean for the N and ORF1AB genes, suggesting a higher viral load, was observed in 17.8% (n=152) and 18.4% (n=157) of the patients. The monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) was below the reference value for COVID-19-negative patients (P<0.0001). The C-reactive protein and ferritin levels were higher in patients with COVID-19 (P<0.05). Leucopenia (P<0.001), lymphocytopenia (P<0.001), neutropenia (P<0.001), and thrombocytopenia (P=0.003) were observed more frequently in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: the MLR below the reference value was more frequent observed in patients with a higher Ct value (lower viral load).