ReviewInfectious diseases and therapy2020
A Systematic Review of the Clinical Utility of Cycle Threshold Values in the Context of COVID-19.
Review in Infectious diseases and therapy, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 250 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
250 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Managing hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO-EHA Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus.ESMO open · 2022Guideline
- Systematic review on the association between respiratory virus real-time PCR cycle threshold values and clinical presentation or outcomes.The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy · 2021Pooled it
- Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of intranasally-administered detoxified LTh(αK) in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2 study.Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics · 2024Trial
- Efficacy of povidone-iodine nasal rinse and mouth wash in COVID-19 management: a prospective, randomized pilot clinical trial (povidone-iodine in COVID-19 management).BMC infectious diseases · 2024Trial
- Effect of phthalocyanine oral and nasal antiseptic solutions on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial.German medical science : GMS e-journal · 2023Trial
- Initial analysis of viral dynamics and circulating viral variants during the mRNA-1273 Phase 3 COVE trial.Nature medicine · 2022Trial
- Randomized controlled trial of favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, and standard care in patients with mild/moderate COVID-19 disease.Scientific reports · 2022Trial
- Single-dose oral ivermectin in mild and moderate COVID-19 (RIVET-COV): A single-centre randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy · 2021Trial
- Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral burden on outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Diagnosis of Respiratory Infections Using Syndromic Panels: A Ct-Based Approach Beyond Qualitative Detection.Microorganisms · 2026Article
- Day-by-Day Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Cycle Threshold Values in Outpatient Care: Associations with Symptom Onset and Fever Severity.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Comparative diagnostic evaluation of real-time PCR and culture for detecting pathogens in podiatric wound infections.Microbiology spectrum · 2026Article
- Exploring the Relationship Between Comorbidities and Prolonged Viral Shedding in COVID-19: A Cycle Threshold Value-Based Investigation.The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale · 2026Article
- Antigenic remodeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike N-terminal domain links sequence variability to structural reorganization of a neutralizing antibody supersite.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Observational
- SARS-CoV-2 infection complicated by acute longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and pulmonary embolism: a case report.Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2026Article
- Molecular Epidemiology of Human Metapneumovirus in Kilifi, Coastal Kenya, 2016-2017 and 2021-2024.Wellcome open research · 2026Article
- Role of cycle threshold values in predicting poor outcomes in patients with Kyasanur Forest disease: a retrospective cohort study.Annals of medicine · 2025Article
- Should public health policy exempt cases with low viral load from isolation during an epidemic?: a modelling study.Infectious Disease Modelling · 2025Article
- Article
190 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe ability to predict likely prognosis and infectiousness for patients with COVID-19 would aid patient management decisions. Diagnosis is usually via real-time PCR, and it is unclear whether the semi-quantitative capability of this method, determining viral load through cycle threshold (Ct) values, can be leveraged.
objectivesWe aim to review available knowledge on correlations between SARS-COV-2 Ct values and patient- or healthcare-related outcomes to determine whether Ct values provide useful clinical information. SOURCES: A PubMed search was conducted on 1 June 2020 based on a search strategy of (Ct value OR viral load) AND SARS-CoV-2. Data were extracted from studies reporting on the presence or absence of an association between Ct values, or viral loads determined via Ct value, and clinical outcomes. CONTENT: Data from 18 studies were relevant for inclusion. One study reported on the correlation between Ct values and mortality and one study reported on the correlation between Ct values and progression to severe disease; both reported a significant association (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Fourteen studies reported on the correlation between Ct value or viral loads determined via Ct value and disease severity, and an association was observed in eight (57%) studies. Studies reporting on the correlation of viral load with biochemical and haematological markers showed an association with at least one marker, including increased lactate dehydrogenase (n = 4), decreased lymphocytes (n = 3) and increased high-sensitivity troponin I (n = 2). Two studies reporting on the correlation with infectivity showed that lower Ct values were associated with higher viral culture positivity. IMPLICATIONS: Data suggest that lower Ct values may be associated with worse outcomes and that Ct values may be useful in predicting the clinical course and prognosis of patients with COVID-19; however, further studies are warranted to confirm clinical value.
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