Viral load in COVID-19 patients: implications for prognosis and vaccine efficacy in the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants

da Silva, S. J. R., de Lima, S. C., da Silva, R. C., Kohl, A. and Pena, L. (2022) Viral load in COVID-19 patients: implications for prognosis and vaccine efficacy in the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Frontiers in Medicine, 8, 836826. (doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.836826) (PMID:35174189) (PMCID:PMC8841511)

Abstract

The worldwide spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused an unprecedented public health crisis in the 21st century. As the pandemic evolves, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has been characterized by the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs), which resulted in a catastrophic impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In light of this, research groups around the world are unraveling key aspects of the associated illness, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A cumulative body of data has indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 viral load may be a determinant of the COVID-19 severity. Here we summarize the main characteristics of the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, discussing their impact on viral transmissibility, viral load, disease severity, vaccine breakthrough, and lethality among COVID-19 patients. We also provide a rundown of the rapidly expanding scientific evidence from clinical studies and animal models that indicate how viral load could be linked to COVID-19 prognosis and vaccine efficacy among vaccinated individuals, highlighting the differences compared to unvaccinated individuals.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The work in LP’s lab was funded by the Fiocruz Inova Program and the Foundation for Science and Technology of Pernambuco – FACEPE, Brazil (Grant No. APQ-0560-2.12/19). SS was recipient of a Ph.D. fellowship sponsored by the Foundation for Science and Technology of Pernambuco (FACEPE) Brazil, (Grant No. IBPG-1321-2.12/18). AK was supported by UK Medical Research Council (Grant No. MC_UU_12014/8).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kohl, Professor Alain
• Authors: da Silva, S. J. R., de Lima, S. C., da Silva, R. C., Kohl, A., and Pena, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Frontiers in Medicine
• Publisher: Frontiers Media
• ISSN: 2296-858X
• ISSN (Online): 2296-858X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 Silva, Lima, Silva, Kohl and Pena
• First Published: First published in Frontiers in Medicine 8: 836826
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
		Arthropod-borne infections and emerging virus infections in high risk areas (Programme 4)		Medical Research Council (MRC)	UNSPECIFIED