Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of the virus in tear and conjunctival secretions of clinically-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients.MethodsThis prospective study was conducted at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital (2020/190). Nasopharyngeal and ocular samples were obtained by swab technique and investigated by RT-PCR.ResultsA total of 83 patients were included. The mean age was 61.88 ± 16.04 years. 28.92% of the patients had mild, 65.06% moderate and 6.02% severe pneumonia radiologically. RT-PCR was positive in 31 (37.35%) patients in the first nasopharyngeal swabs and in 19 (22.89%) in the second swabs. 17 of 19 patients had positive both first and second nasopharyngeal swabs; only the second swabs of two patients were positive. The first conjunctival swabs RT-PCR were positive in 5 out of 83 clinically-confirmed patients or 33 laboratory-confirmed patients (rates: 6.02% and 15.15%). There were no positives detected in the second conjunctival swabs.ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the conjunctival swabs of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of the virus in tear and conjunctival secretions of clinically-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through infected ocular tissue or secretions has been a controversy, but it is supposed that the nasolacrimal system can work as a natural canal for viruses to pass from the eye to the upper respiratory tract or vice versa
This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARSCoV-2 RNA in tear and conjunctival secretions of patients with clinically-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia by using quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test
Summary
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of the virus in tear and conjunctival secretions of clinically-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients. The primary transmission of COVID-19 is from human-to-human through respiratory droplets and contact routes. Other possible routes of transmission are not clearly known and controversial [5, 6]. The eye is an organ that is exposed to respiratory viruses directly or indirectly and connected to the upper respiratory tract through the nasolacrimal canal (NLC). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through infected ocular tissue or secretions has been a controversy, but it is supposed that the nasolacrimal system can work as a natural canal for viruses to pass from the eye to the upper respiratory tract or vice versa. Ocular tissue and secretions may be a potential source of SARS-CoV-2 [7, 8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
