ABSTRACT
Purpose: This work aims to examine the vitreous of autopsy patients with COVID-19 for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Methods: Four deceased patients with COVID-19 had an autopsy at Massachusetts General Hospital. Two control specimens were obtained from patients undergoing retinal detachment repair with negative preoperative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Vitreous specimens were obtained from autopsy patients with COVID-19 after povidone was placed on the ocular surface to decrease the risk of contamination of the vitreous specimen. SARS-CoV-2 RNA for gene N (nucleocapsid) was tested using reverse transcription-PCR. Results: SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the vitreous of 2 of 4 autopsy patients who died from complications of COVID-19. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 RNA can penetrate into the vitreous of systemically infected patients, which might present risks to operating room personnel during ophthalmic surgical procedures.
ABSTRACT
The clinical significance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) RNA in stool remains uncertain. We found that extrapulmonary dissemination of infection to the gastrointestinal tract, assessed by the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool, is associated with decreased coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survival. Measurement of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool may have utility for clinical risk assessment.