The worldwide spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused an unprecedented public health crisis in the 21st century. As the pandemic evolves, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has been characterized by the emergence of new variants of concern (VOCs), which resulted in a catastrophic impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In light of this, research groups around the world are unraveling key aspects of the associated illness, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A cumulative body of data has indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 viral load may be a determinant of the COVID-19 severity. Here we summarize the main characteristics of the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, discussing their impact on viral transmissibility, viral load, disease severity, vaccine breakthrough, and lethality among COVID-19 patients. We also provide a rundown of the rapidly expanding scientific evidence from clinical studies and animal models that indicate how viral load could be linked to COVID-19 prognosis and vaccine efficacy among vaccinated individuals, highlighting the differences compared to unvaccinated individuals.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Prognosis, Vaccines, disease severity, Transmissibility, Viral load, emerging variants, lethality, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, Efficacy, Vaccine, coronavirus, pandemic, SARS-COV-2 infection, COVID-19 severity, variants of concern, animal model, public health crisis, Spread, Characteristics, VOCs, Research, group, COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 prognosis, clinical study, Evidence, acute respiratory syndrome, vaccinated individuals, cumulative, variants of SARS-CoV-2, catastrophic, caused, indicated, characterized, individuals, highlighting, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, load, Context,