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Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues.
Sawant, Onkar B; Singh, Sneha; Wright, Robert Emery; Jones, Kayla M; Titus, Michael S; Dennis, Eugene; Hicks, Eric; Majmudar, Parag A; Kumar, Ashok; Mian, Shahzad I.
  • Sawant OB; Center for Vision and Eye Banking Research, Eversight, 6700 Euclid Ave, Suite 101, Cleveland, OH, 44103, USA.
  • Singh S; Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
  • Wright RE; Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
  • Jones KM; Center for Vision and Eye Banking Research, Eversight, 6700 Euclid Ave, Suite 101, Cleveland, OH, 44103, USA.
  • Titus MS; Department of Clinical Operations, Eversight, 3985 Research Park Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA.
  • Dennis E; Department of Clinical Operations, Eversight, 77 Brant Ave, Clark, NJ, 07066, USA.
  • Hicks E; Department of Clinical Operations, Eversight, 3985 Research Park Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, USA.
  • Majmudar PA; Department of Ophthalmology, Rush University, 1725 W. Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
  • Kumar A; Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. Electronic address: akuma@med.wayne.edu.
  • Mian SI; Kellogg Eye Institute, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA. Electronic address: smian@med.umich.edu.
Ocul Surf ; 19: 322-329, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1065416
Preprint
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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

SARS-CoV-2 is found in conjunctival swabs and tears of COVID-19 patients. However, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in the human eye to date. We undertook this study to analyze the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues.

METHODS:

The expression of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was assessed by RT-PCR in corneal and scleral tissues from 33 surgical-intended donors who were eliminated from a surgical use per Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) donor screening guidelines or medical director review or positive COVID-19 test. Ocular levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RT-PCR), Envelope and Spike proteins (immunohistochemistry) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies (ELISA) in blood were evaluated in additional 10 research-intent COVID-19 positive donors.

FINDINGS:

Of 132 ocular tissues from 33 surgical-intended donors, the positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was ~13% (17/132). Of 10 COVID-19 donors, six had PCR positive post-mortem nasopharyngeal swabs whereas eight exhibited positive post-mortem anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels. Among 20 eyes recovered from 10 COVID-19 donors three conjunctival, one anterior corneal, five posterior corneal, and three vitreous swabs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 spike and envelope proteins were detected in epithelial layer of the corneas that were procured without Povidone-Iodine (PVP-I) disinfection. INTERPRETATIONS Our study showed a small but noteworthy prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in ocular tissues from COVID-19 donors. These findings underscore the criticality of donor screening guidelines, post-mortem nasopharyngeal PCR testing and PVP-I disinfection protocol to eliminate any tissue harboring SARS-CoV-2 being used for corneal transplantation.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Autopsy / RNA, Viral / Conjunctiva / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Ocul Surf Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jtos.2020.11.002

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Autopsy / RNA, Viral / Conjunctiva / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study Limits: Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Ocul Surf Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.jtos.2020.11.002