Virus load and virus shedding of SARS-CoV-2 and their impact on patient outcomes

BACKGROUND Understanding a virus shedding patterns in body fluids/secretions is important to determine the samples to be used for diagnosis and to formulate infection control measures.AIM To investigate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) shedding patterns and its risk factors.METHODS All laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 patients with complete medical records admitted to the Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital from January 28, 2020 to March 8, 2020 were included. Among 145 patients(54.5% males; median age, 46.1 years), three(2.1%) died. The bronco-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) had the highest virus load compared with the other samples. The viral load peaked at admission(3.3 × 108 copies) and sharply decreased 10 d after admission.RESULTS The viral load was associated with prolonged intensive care unit(ICU) duration. Patients in the ICU had significantly longer shedding time compared to those in the wards(P < 0.0001). Age > 60 years [hazard ratio(HR) = 0.6; 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.4-0.9] was an independent risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 shedding, while chloroquine(HR = 22.8; 95%CI: 2.3-224.6) was a protective factor.CONCLUSION BALF had the highest SARS-CoV-2 load. Elderly patients had higher virus loads, which was associated with a prolonged ICU stay. Chloroquine was associated with shorter shedding duration and increased the chance of viral negativity.