SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct Value and Laboratory Tests: Clinicopathologic characteristics among adult Filipino Inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a tertiary medical center.
doi.org/10.21141/PJP.2023.07
- Author:
Carolyn Marie Legaspi
1
;
David Jerome Ong
1
;
Jose Inigo Remulla
1
;
Rose Lou Marie Agbay
1
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, The Medical City, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
cycle threshold
- MeSH:
COVID-19;
laboratory biomarkers;
SARS-CoV-2;
RT-PCR
- From:
Philippine Journal of Pathology
2023;8(1):32-40
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: The role of the laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic is not limited to just diagnosis of the
disease, but also in clinical decision-making, by providing information on relevant laboratory biomarkers.
Clinicians also use Ct value to guide patient management. There are limited studies available locally
regarding the significance of Ct value and pertinent laboratory biomarkers in COVID-19 patients. This study
aimed to assess the aforementioned laboratory data, along with the clinicopathologic characteristics of
affected patients, and determined if this information may be useful for robust clinical decision-makin
METHODOLOGY:In this retrospective analytic study, we identified 325 out of 1,049 adult Filipino inpatients
diagnosed with COVID-19 and analyzed their Ct values and pertinent laboratory biomarkers such as
neutrophil and lymphocyte count, platelet count, LDH, ferritin, procalcitonin, CRP, AST/SGOT, ALT/SGPT, PT/
INR, and D-dimer, and correlated them with the severity of the disease.
RESULTS:Two hundred twenty (67.7%) patients had non-severe disease, while 105 (32.3%) had severe disease.
Lower Ct values of ORF1ab (median = 26.4) and N (median = 24.8) genes were seen in the severe group
compared to the non-severe group and were found to be significant (p<0.001). Laboratory markers
(neutrophil, platelet counts, LDH, ferritin, procalcitonin, CRP, AST, PT/INR, and D-dimer) were associated
with severe COVID-19. On the other hand, ALT was not associated with severe disease.
CONCLUSION:The laboratory biomarkers together with Ct value and overall clinical picture may provide
valuable information to physicians for more robust clinical decision-making.
- Full text:8(1)_7.pdf
