Comparison of clinical characteristics among patients infected with alpha vs. delta SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Wien Klin Wochenschr
; 2022 Sep 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2007148
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has undergone different molecular changes, sprouting genetic variants of the original wildtype. Clinical comparisons between patients infected with alpha versus delta are scarce.METHODS:
In this retrospective observational study, adult patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to confirmed SARS-CoV2 alpha or delta infection were included. Patient characteristics, virologic and laboratory parameters, as well as the clinical course were compared in patients infected with alpha vs. delta variants.RESULTS:
A total of 106 patients infected with alpha and 215 patients infected with delta were included. Patients infected with the delta variant were admitted to hospital earlier after symptom onset (6 vs. 7 days, pâ¯< 0.001). Blood levels of Creactive protein (43.3 vs. 62.9â¯mg/l, pâ¯= 0.02) and neutrophil count (3.81 vs. 4.53â¯G/l, pâ¯= 0.06) were lower in delta patients. Furthermore, at hospital admission cycle threshold (CT) values were significantly lower in patients infected with the delta variant (22.3 vs. 24.9, pâ¯< 0.001). Patients infected with the delta variant needed supplemental oxygen less often during disease course (50% vs. 64%, pâ¯= 0.02). Furthermore, there was a statistically non-significant trend towards a lower ICU admission rate among delta patients (16% vs. 24%, pâ¯= 0.08)CONCLUSION:
Patients diagnosed with the delta variant were admitted to the hospital earlier, had a less severe course of disease and a higher viral replication on admission. This may provide a window of opportunity for antivirals in the hospital setting.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S00508-022-02084-1
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