Abstract
Background/ObjectivesThe systemic organ involvement of SARS-CoV-2 needs to be thoroughly investigated including the possibility of an ocular reservoir in humans. To examine retinal tissues and vitreous for histopathology and SARS-CoV-2 presence with regard to possible effects on the human retina and/ or vitreous. We performed histopathological analyses and quantitative (q)RT-PCR-testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA on retinal tissues and vitreous of COVID-19 postmortem donors.Subjects/MethodsIncluded in this study were 10 eyes of 5 deceased COVID-19 patients. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed via pharyngeal swabs and broncho-alveolar fluids. The highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE) and measures was employed during fluid-tissue procurement and preparation. Histopathological examinations and qRT-PCR-testing were carried out for all retinal tissues and vitreous fluids.ResultsThe histopathological examinations revealed no signs of morphologically identifiable retinal inflammation or vessel occlusions based on hematoxylin and eosin stains. By qRT-PCRs, we detected no significant level of viral RNA in human retina and vitreous.ConclusionsIn this study, no significant level of SARS-CoV-2-RNA was detected in the human retinal and vitreous fluid samples of deceased COVID-19 patients. Histopathological examinations confirmed no morphological sign of damage to retinal vasculature or tissues. Further studies are needed to confirm or refute the results.
Highlights
The ongoing spread and dissemination of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the community poses unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system
By qRT-PCRs, we detected no significant level of viral RNA in human retina and vitreous
The different modes of spread and systemic organ involvement of SARS-CoV-2 need to be thoroughly investigated including the possibility of viral reservoirs in humans
Summary
The ongoing spread and dissemination of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the community poses unprecedented challenges for the healthcare system. This includes healthcare management, patient guidance and surgery on potentially infectious, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers. The different modes of spread and systemic organ involvement of SARS-CoV-2 need to be thoroughly investigated including the possibility of viral reservoirs in humans The question if this novel member of the coronavirus family, possibly exhibiting similarities in viral transmission and/ or organ involvement to members of the flavivirus family, as described by Khaiboullina et al [1] in 2019 and Kitagawa et al [2] in 2018 for the Zika Virus and West Nile Virus, respectively, remains still unanswered. A most recent report by Casagrande et al [7] states– with not unequivocally test results–positive retinal biopsy samples of human retina
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