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Abstract

This was a retrospective study of 2,956 cases detected positive by RT-PCR to observe the viral dynamics in different age groups and gender using Ct value of COVID-19 patients, 78% cases were detected positive for ORF1ab and E gene, 15% cases were positive for ORF1ab and N gene while 8% cases were positive only for ORF1ab. The mean, median and 95% CI of Ct for ORF1ab were all numerically higher than the comparative value of E gene (mean, 27.26 vs. 26.31; median, 27.51 vs. 26.93 and 95% CI 26.92-27.60 vs. 25.98-26.63) p-value <0.0001 and N gene (mean, 35.22 vs. 29.58; median, 36.86 vs. 29.55 and 95% CI 34.65-35.0 vs. 29.33-29.82) p-value <0.0001. Nonparametric t-test showed no statistical difference in the viral load or density between male and female patients. When comparing different age groups, viral load at the age of 45-55 years and >65 years was quantitatively higher in female as compared to male patients with p-value 0.0399 and 0.0328 respectively. In conclusion, more men (65%) were infected as compared to female patients. Also the viral load or disease was more severe in male patients than female (36% vs. 24%) at the reproductive age group of 25-34 years.

Keywords: COVID-19; Viral dynamics; Cycle threshold; OPR1ab; N gene