Title : Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in conjunctival secretions of hospitalized patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019
Abstract:
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) caused by novel Corona Virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spreads primarily through close contact with respiratory droplets. This novel coronavirus has also been linked to ocular manifestations in several case reports, with a possible transmission through conjunctiva and tears, which is still debated.
Purpose: To detect the presence of viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swab specimen of COVID-19 patients.
Methods: Main outcome was to investigate the correlation between RT-PCR results of nasopharyngeal swabs (Ns) and conjunctival swabs (Cs) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Patients were divided into two main groups: (1) Ns and Cs both positive (Ns+, Cs+), (2) Ns positive and Cs negative (Ns+, Cs−). The secondary outcomes were to find correlation between Cs results and Ocular manisfestations such as photophobia, lacrimation and foreign body sensation, and blood chemistry as Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Results: A cross? sectional study was conducted at the Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Sixty?six subjects from the COVID admission unit with laboratory?confirmed SARS?CoV?2 infection were included, conjunctival swabs were collected and RT?PCR was performed. Conjunctival swab was collected from both eyes of 66 patients (132 eyes), detecting SARS?CoV?2 RNA in conjunctival swab of 6 patients (9.1%). Ocular manifestations were present in 4 patients (6.7%). The mean age of the 66 patients was 54 years (range, 16-84 years) and the male?to?female ratio was 1 (33:33).
Conclusions: In patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2, the virus can be detected in conjunctival swab, highlighting the role of the eye as a possible route of transmission of the disease.
