Acute onset olfactory/taste disorders are associated with a high viral burden in mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections
Kensuke Nakagawara, Katsunori Masaki, Yoshifumi Uwamino, Hiroki Kabata, Sho Uchida, Shunsuke Uno, Takanori Asakura, Takeru Funakoshi, Sho Kanzaki, Makoto Ishii, Naoki Hasegawa, Koichi Fukunaga
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.
Topics & Concepts
AsymptomaticSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MedicineTaste2019-20 coronavirus outbreakAnosmiaVirologyViral loadInternal medicineImmunologyVirusBiologyFood scienceDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesAdvanced Chemical Sensor TechnologiesBiochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques