Abstract
This study investigates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival secretions and tears and evaluates ocular symptoms in a group of patients with COVID-19. We included 56 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in this cross-sectional cohort study. Conjunctival secretions and tears were collected using flocked swabs and Schirmer strips for SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Assessment of ocular surface manifestations included an OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) questionnaire. Patients had been admitted to hospital for an average of 2.4 days (range 0–7) and had shown general symptoms for an average of 7.1 days (range 1–20) prior to ocular testing. Four (7.1%) of 56 conjunctival swabs and four (4%) of 112 Schirmer strips were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The mean E-gene cycle threshold values (Ct values) were 31.2 (SD 5.0) in conjunctival swabs and 32.9 (SD 2.7) in left eye Schirmer strips. Overall, 17 (30%) patients presented ocular symptoms. No association was found between positive ocular samples and ocular symptoms. This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected on the conjunctiva and tears of patients with COVID-19. Contact with the ocular surface may transmit the virus and preventive measures should be taken in this direction.
Highlights
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in the Chinese city ofWuhan and is known to cause Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the conjunctiva and tears of patients with COVID-19, as well as to describe their ocular symptoms
Fifty-six patients with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 were included in the study
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in the Chinese city ofWuhan and is known to cause Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in the Chinese city of. Affected patients can develop symptoms, such as fever, cough, dyspnea, myalgia and gastrointestinal disorders. Severe COVID-19 can affect multiple organs in the context of cytokine storms. The main route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is through small respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, it can be transmitted through contaminated objects and facial contact [1]. This coronavirus has been detected in tears and conjunctival secretions, with higher positivity rates among patients with severe
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