Published online Feb 6, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i4.756
Peer-review started: September 1, 2022
First decision: November 22, 2022
Revised: November 29, 2022
Accepted: January 12, 2023
Article in press: January 12, 2023
Published online: February 6, 2023
Processing time: 157 Days and 21.2 Hours
The Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly infects the upper respiratory tract. Chest computed tomography (CT) can reveal the presence of pulmonary infection. The measured cycle threshold (Ct) was related to pulmonary infections diagnosed via CT.
To explore the relationship between chest CT characteristics and Ct value using the fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
Pulmonary infections caused by the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were highly correlated with Ct values. Lower Ct values were associated with a higher incidence and degree of pulmonary damage.
The chest CT images and PCR Ct values of 331 patients with Omicron variant infections were retrospectively collected; categorized into low (< 25), moderate (25.00-34.99), and high (≥ 35) Ct groups; and analyzed statistically.
Focal infections were less frequent in the low Ct group than in the medium and high Ct groups. Patchy consolidation shadows and pleural changes were more common in the low Ct group than in the other two groups. The number of patients with two or more signs was greater in the low Ct group than in the medium and high Ct groups.
Pulmonary infection and the Ct measured using the fluorescent PCR method were related to pulmonary infections diagnosed via CT.
Future studies with large sample sizes and multiple centers will further validate our findings.