SARS-CoV-2 viral load in sputum correlates with risk of COVID-19 progression

The sputum specimens were collected from the lower respiratory tract of each patient at admission and the levels of viral nuclei acid were determined by a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) approach and indicated by the cycle threshold (Ct) values of RT-PCR assays [2]. SEE PDF] We found that the viral load of the sputum specimen in the lower respiratory tract tested at baseline is closely related to the severity of COVID-19. In summary, we found a positive association between sputum viral load and disease severity as well as risk of progression.