Dynamics of SAR-CoV2 Viral Load Decline and Antibody Responses in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract This study describes changes in the viral RNA, viable virus shedding and host immune response in COVID-19 patients. Samples showed a large variation of viral load which declined rapidly in the first week and gradually afterward. Most cases with persistent positive of viral RNA (approximate 80%) did not indicate shedding of viable virus. Some cases with undetectable specific antibody (9 from 26 cases) were viral culture positive. These indicate that delaying of immune response may result in persistent shedding of viable virus. High viral load and negative neutralizing antibody may be used as markers to identify such individuals.