ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of the virus in tear and conjunctival secretions of clinically-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital (2020/190). Nasopharyngeal and ocular samples were obtained by swab technique and investigated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included. The mean age was 61.88 ± 16.04 years. 28.92% of the patients had mild, 65.06% moderate and 6.02% severe pneumonia radiologically. RT-PCR was positive in 31 (37.35%) patients in the first nasopharyngeal swabs and in 19 (22.89%) in the second swabs. 17 of 19 patients had positive both first and second nasopharyngeal swabs; only the second swabs of two patients were positive. The first conjunctival swabs RT-PCR were positive in 5 out of 83 clinically-confirmed patients or 33 laboratory-confirmed patients (rates: 6.02% and 15.15%). There were no positives detected in the second conjunctival swabs. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the conjunctival swabs of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Conjunctiva , Humans , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , RNA, ViralABSTRACT
AIMS: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a life-threatening pathogen with high morbidity and mortality rates which causes nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Biofilm, considered to be a common virulence factor for pathogens, plays a significant role in recurrent and untreatable infections. Biofilm formation of S. aureus is mediated by synthesis of either poly-N-acetylglucosamine in an ica-dependent manner or surface proteins in an ica-independent manner. In some cases treatment is impossible and recurrent. In this study, ica-dependent biofilm-producing S. aureus isolates were detected and the anti-biofilm effect of ascorbic acid against biofilm formation of isolates was investigated. METHODS: A total of 21 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) clinical isolates stored in our bacterial stock were used to detect ica-dependent biofilm-producing MSSA isolates. The anti-biofilm study was undertaken with three ica-dependent biofilm-producing isolates (MSSA2-4) and ATCC 29213 (MSSA1). Biofilms and the anti-biofilm effect of ascorbic acid were detected using the microtitre plate (MtP) method. 16S-rRNA, nuc, icaA and icaD genes and expression levels of icaA and icaD of isolates were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ascorbic acid prevented biofilm formation of MSSA1 and MSSA3. Also, 1/2 MIC of ascorbic acid prevented biofilm formation of MSSA3. It was observed that biofilm formation decreased with increased concentration. There was no significant increase in ica gene expression of MSSA1 and MSSA2. Expression of icaA and icaD of MSSA3 decreased 13% and 38%, respectively. Expression of icaA in MSSA4 decreased 12%. CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that ascorbic acid can be used as an anti-biofilm agent to prevent biofilm formation of S. aureus and thus biofilm-related infections.