Punchoo, RivakBhoora, SachinBangalee, Avania2023-11-222023-11-222022-08Punchoo, R., Bhoora, S. & Bangalee, A. 2022, 'Laboratory considerations for reporting cycle threshold value in COVID-19', Electronic Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 80-93.1650-3414 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93403The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus. Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is the mainstay to confirm infection. A large number of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays are currently available for qualitatively assessing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although these assays show variation in cycle threshold values (Ct), advocacy for reporting Ct values (in addition to the qualitative result) is tabled to guide patient clinical management decisions. This article provides critical commentary on qualitative RT-PCR laboratory and clinical considerations for Ct value reporting. Factors contributing to Ct variation are discussed by considering relevant viral life-cycle factors, patient factors and the laboratory total testing processes that contribute to the Ct variation and mitigate against the reporting of Ct values by qualitative NAAT.en© 2022 International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). All rights reserved. This is a Platinum Open Access Journal distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License.COVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT)Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)Cycle thresholdQuantifiable cycleCycle threshold valuesHealth sciences articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle