Delayed SARS-CoV-2 Clearance in Patients with Obesity

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Metabolic Disorders
• Virology

Background:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern.
• Obesity is associated with increased susceptibility to various infections.
• The impact of obesity on viral persistence in COVID-19 requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between obesity and the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in infected individuals.
• To determine if body mass index (BMI) influences viral clearance dynamics in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from 57 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients across two clinical centers.
• Patients were categorized based on BMI (≥25 kg/m² for obesity).
• Viral replication dynamics and clearance rates were compared between obese and non-obese groups.

Main Results:

• Obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) was not significantly correlated with initial inflammatory markers or viral load (Ct values).
• Virus clearance by day 14 was significantly lower in obese patients (72.2%) compared to non-obese patients (94.9%) (P=0.03).
• Multivariable analysis identified obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) as an independent risk factor for delayed SARS-CoV-2 clearance on day 14 (P=0.02).

Conclusions:

• Obesity may impair the clearance of SARS-CoV-2, prolonging viral persistence.
• Assessing BMI in COVID-19 patients, even those not severely ill, is recommended.
• Obesity represents a significant factor influencing COVID-19 recovery and viral shedding.