Acute onset olfactory/taste disorders are associated with a high viral burden in mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections

Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Oct:99:19-22. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.07.034. Epub 2020 Jul 26.

Abstract

This study investigated, using cycle threshold (Ct) qPCR values, the association between symptoms and viral clearance in 57 patients with asymptomatic/mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with olfactory/taste disorders (OTDs) exhibited lower qPCR Ct values and longer time to negative qPCR than those without OTDs, suggesting an association between OTDs and high viral burden.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cycle threshold (Ct) values; Olfactory/taste disorders (OTDs); Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Olfaction Disorders / etiology*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Taste Disorders / etiology*
  • Viral Load*