Asymptomatic patients of COVID-19: threat to the population?

-Anwesha Chatterjee, Amity University Kolkata

The novel coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world. It is impossible to restrict the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.  A huge proportion of the population across the world got infected and showed the most common to mild to serious symptoms (fever, dry cough, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, aches, pains, rashes, and many more) along with the high amount of viral loads. Patients are being medically treated, or they are being isolated and self-quarantined. Viral load refers to the amount of virus present in an infected person’s bodily fluid. But with time, as the virus continues to evolve, we are learning several new things. A greater association between asymptomatic patients and viral load was observed in a study conducted over 200 patients in Telangana.

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics

The scientists from the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics ( CDFD) recommended for a screening of asymptomatic primary and secondary contiguity of Covid-19 patients followed by surveillance.

Muruli Dharan Basyam, CDFD Laboratory of Molecular Oncology told PTI that it is very crucial to check the probability of infection through asymptomatic patients who are probably fostering better immunity but can spread the infection to people having low immunity resulting in morbidness and mortality.

Mutations

The study revealed that 95% of the population was infected with 20B Clad (strain) while the rest 5% was infected with other strains and sub-strains. The foremost aim of the study was to find out and identify the dominant viral lineage. The results were published in the BiorXiv preprint repository. Besides, the researchers also observed a high predominance of D614G spike protein mutation. Certain distinct mutations were also notified in a functionally critical region of the nsp3 (non-structural protein 3) of the virus. The majority of people in the study belonged to 15-65 years with 62% males and 38% females.  

Symptomatic vs Asymptomatic

The association of high viral load and asymptomatic patients can depend upon various factors which are still under observation, like sample demography and immunity of an individual while giving their sample. They have discovered that symptomatic patients have greater cycle threshold values (it is the number of cycles needed for the fluorescent signal to surpass the background level) as compared to asymptomatic patients, thus having reduced viral loads.

The threat

Asymptomatic patients are the silent carriers who come in contact with the mass population regularly and may transmit the virus without their knowledge. This can fuel the pandemic in a quick and dangerous aspect. 

Hence, scientists are studying the aspects regarding the possible transmission from asymptomatic patients. Researchers and scientists are continuously learning, advising, and recommending the governments to share and inform the public domain to take tests and precautions to enlighten public health services. 

Source – https://www.biotecnika.org/2020/09/higher-viral-load-in-covid-19-asymptomatic-patients/

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