[en] Aim: The Belgium’s strategy against COVID-19 was partly based on mass screening. Here, we reported the results observed in a Belgian mass screening center. Materials & methods: Between October 2020 and February 2021, 32,089 samples were collected analyzed with reverse-transcription PCR (Thermo Fisher Scientific kits and apparatus). Patients were categorized according to their contagiousness (extrapolated from the cycle threshold [Ct] values and the recommendation of Sciensano). Results: We observed association between Ct values and age, with higher Ct observed in extreme age groups (<6 years and >75 years). Conclusion: The analysis of the evolution of the contagiousness of these patients tested twice within a 7-day period showed the relevancy of the recommendation edited by Sciensano.
Disciplines :
Immunology & infectious disease
Author, co-author :
Dufour, Patrice ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > > Pool assistant - biologie clinique ; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle, Liège, 4000, Belgium
Paridaens, Henry; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle, Liège, 4000, Belgium
Senterre, Jean-Marc; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle, Liège, 4000, Belgium
Minon, Jean-Marc ; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Régional de la Citadelle, Liège, 4000, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Relevance of cycle threshold values in mass screening by reverse-transcription-PCR during COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium: a decision-making support?
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