Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
<h4>Background</h4>Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections are responsible for potentially significant transmission of COVID-19. Worldwide, a number of studies were conducted to estimate the magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. However, there is a need for more robust and well-designed s...
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| Format: | Article |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2021-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249090&type=printable |
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| author | Muluneh Alene Leltework Yismaw Moges Agazhe Assemie Daniel Bekele Ketema Belayneh Mengist Bekalu Kassie Tilahun Yemanu Birhan |
| author_facet | Muluneh Alene Leltework Yismaw Moges Agazhe Assemie Daniel Bekele Ketema Belayneh Mengist Bekalu Kassie Tilahun Yemanu Birhan |
| author_sort | Muluneh Alene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections are responsible for potentially significant transmission of COVID-19. Worldwide, a number of studies were conducted to estimate the magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. However, there is a need for more robust and well-designed studies to have a relevant public health intervention. Synthesis of the available studies significantly strengthens the quality of evidences for public health practice. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection using available evidences.<h4>Methods</h4>We followed the PRISMA checklist to present this study. Two experienced review authors (MA and DBK) were systematically searched international electronic databases for studies. We performed meta-analysis using R statistical software. The overall weighted proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course infection was computed. The pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals were presented using forest plot. Egger's tests were used to assess publication bias, and primary estimates were pooled using a random effects model. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assure the robustness of the result.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 28 studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Consequently, in the meta-analysis, a total of 6,071 COVID-19 cases were included. The proportion of asymptomatic infections among the included studies ranged from 1.4% to 78.3%. The findings of this meta-analysis showed that the weighted pooled proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection was 25% (95%CI: 16-38). The leave-one out result also revealed that the weighted pooled average of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was between 28% and 31.4%.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In conclusion, one-fourth of SARS-CoV-2 infections are remained asymptomatic throughout the course infection. Scale-up of testing, which targeting high risk populations is recommended to tackle the pandemic. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64969fc0a8c74480bcec864478cd17cb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj-art-64969fc0a8c74480bcec864478cd17cb2025-08-20T02:00:51ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032021-01-01163e024909010.1371/journal.pone.0249090Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Muluneh AleneLeltework YismawMoges Agazhe AssemieDaniel Bekele KetemaBelayneh MengistBekalu KassieTilahun Yemanu Birhan<h4>Background</h4>Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections are responsible for potentially significant transmission of COVID-19. Worldwide, a number of studies were conducted to estimate the magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. However, there is a need for more robust and well-designed studies to have a relevant public health intervention. Synthesis of the available studies significantly strengthens the quality of evidences for public health practice. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the overall magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection using available evidences.<h4>Methods</h4>We followed the PRISMA checklist to present this study. Two experienced review authors (MA and DBK) were systematically searched international electronic databases for studies. We performed meta-analysis using R statistical software. The overall weighted proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course infection was computed. The pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals were presented using forest plot. Egger's tests were used to assess publication bias, and primary estimates were pooled using a random effects model. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assure the robustness of the result.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 28 studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Consequently, in the meta-analysis, a total of 6,071 COVID-19 cases were included. The proportion of asymptomatic infections among the included studies ranged from 1.4% to 78.3%. The findings of this meta-analysis showed that the weighted pooled proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection was 25% (95%CI: 16-38). The leave-one out result also revealed that the weighted pooled average of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was between 28% and 31.4%.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In conclusion, one-fourth of SARS-CoV-2 infections are remained asymptomatic throughout the course infection. Scale-up of testing, which targeting high risk populations is recommended to tackle the pandemic.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249090&type=printable |
| spellingShingle | Muluneh Alene Leltework Yismaw Moges Agazhe Assemie Daniel Bekele Ketema Belayneh Mengist Bekalu Kassie Tilahun Yemanu Birhan Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE |
| title | Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. |
| title_full | Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. |
| title_fullStr | Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. |
| title_short | Magnitude of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases throughout the course of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. |
| title_sort | magnitude of asymptomatic covid 19 cases throughout the course of infection a systematic review and meta analysis |
| url | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0249090&type=printable |
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