SARS-CoV-2 viral-load distribution reveals that viral loads increase with age: a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Sjoerd EuserSem AronsonIrene MandersSteven van LelyveldBjorn HerpersJan SinnigeJayant KalpoeClaudia van GemerenDominic SnijdersRuud JansenSophie Schuurmans StekhovenMarlies van HoutenIvar LedeJames Cohen StuartFred Slijkerman MegelinkErik KapteijnsJeroen den BoerElisabeth SandersAlex WagemakersDennis Souverein

Published in: International journal of epidemiology (2021)

In patients tested by Public Health Services, SARS-CoV-2 viral load increases with age. Further studies should elucidate whether the lower viral load in children is indeed related to their suggested limited role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Moreover, as rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR, these results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests have lower sensitivity in children than in adults.

Keyphrases

sars cov
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
end stage renal disease
cross sectional
young adults
ejection fraction
chronic kidney disease
newly diagnosed
healthcare
mental health
peritoneal dialysis
emergency department
patient reported outcomes
adverse drug
case control
patient reported
electronic health record