Presence of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA in Aqueous Humor of Asymptomatic Individuals.
Am J Ophthalmol
; 230: 151-155, 2021 10.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1233345
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is detectable in the aqueous of asymptomatic individuals presenting for ophthalmic surgery.DESIGN:
Prospective cross-sectional study.METHODS:
Setting andparticipants:
all patients undergoing anterior segment surgery at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) belonging to a tertiary academic center in South Florida during a 102-day period between June and September 2020 received nasal swab testing for SARS-CoV-2 and underwent a relevant review of symptoms prior to surgery, with negative results required for both in order to proceed with surgery. Main outcomes and measurements a small sample of aqueous humor (approximately 0.2 cc) was acquired at the beginning of anterior segment surgery from all participants. Aqueous humor was analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Demographic information was acquired from participants for secondary analyses.RESULTS:
A total of 70 samples were acquired. Of those, 39 samples were excluded due to insufficient material or inconclusive results. Of 31 samples that were successfully analyzed, 6 (19.4%) demonstrated detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA. None of the 6 individuals (0%) with detectable viral RNA in aqueous humor reported symptoms during the year, compared to 2 of 25 individuals (8%) with negative samples (P = 1). Positive samples were distributed throughout the study period, including both the first and the last days of enrollment.CONCLUSIONS:
The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in aqueous despite negative nasal swab testing confirmed its presence beyond the blood-ocular barrier in asymptomatic individuals and raises the possibility that the virus may persist in immunoprivileged spaces despite an absence of symptoms.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Aqueous Humor
/
RNA, Viral
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Ophthalmol
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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