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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19.
Casagrande, Maria; Fitzek, Antonia; Spitzer, Martin; Püschel, Klaus; Glatzel, Markus; Krasemann, Susanne; Aepfelbacher, Martin; Nörz, Dominik; Lütgehetmann, Marc; Pfefferle, Susanne; Schultheiss, Maximilian.
  • Casagrande M; Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany m.casagrande@hotmail.de.
  • Fitzek A; Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Spitzer M; Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Püschel K; Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Glatzel M; Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Krasemann S; Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Aepfelbacher M; Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Nörz D; Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Lütgehetmann M; Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Pfefferle S; Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
  • Schultheiss M; Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Br J Ophthalmol ; 106(9): 1313-1317, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2253912
ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human retinal biopsies (RBs) was previously reported by us. In this consecutive study, we analysed RB and optic nerve biopsies (ONBs) in deceased patients with confirmed COVID-19 assessing viral RNA load, possible virus replication and infectivity. PATIENTS AND

METHODS:

In this case series, 14 eyes of 14 deceased patients with COVID-19 were enucleated during autopsy. RB and ONB were subjected to molecular detection of viral RNA, virus cultivation and immunohistochemistry. SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads were compared with RNA loads in the respective throat swabs, vitreous humour and blood samples.

RESULTS:

SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 7/14 RBs and in 10/13 ONBs. While virus isolation failed and immunohistochemistry of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was negative, subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) was detectable (40% RB; 60% ONB).

CONCLUSION:

SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in RB and ONB of patients with COVID-19. Presence of sgRNA could point to a SARS-CoV-2 infection of neuronal tissue, but as virus isolation failed and immunohistochemistry of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was negative, an active infection seems unlikely.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjophthalmol-2020-318618

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjophthalmol-2020-318618