SARS-CoV-2 Gene Expression as a Prognosis Predictor for COVID-19

Introduction: Real time quantitative PCR is the gold standard for detection of SARS-CoV-2 which is specific, sensitive, and simple quantitative. The target of RT-qPCR is to assess the expression level of the SARS-CoV-2 gene through cycle threshold values (CT-value). The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of the level of SARS-CoV-2 gene expression and the severity of COVID-19 in patients hospitalized. Method: This research is an analytic observational study with cross sectional method. While the research sample was taken using a consecutive sampling technique from the Medical Records of Sumedang Hospital and Cideres Hospital, West Java, Indonesia from December 2020 to March 2021. Patient parameters include analysis of age, sex, comorbidity, and disease severity. The severity of the patient is classified based on complaints and oxygen saturation. The expression level of the SARS-CoV-2 N gene and E gene were assessed by calculating the relative quantification by comparing the expression of the E and N gene with the expression of the internal control gene by Livak formula (2-ΔΔCT Formula). Result: The Spearman correlation test showed that there was a relationship between the expression of SARS-CoV-2 genes E and N genes with the severity of COVID-19 patients (with r=0.374 and p<0.0001) and (with r=0.452 and p<0.0001). Conclusions: There is an correlation between the level of expression of genes E and gene N with the severity of patients.