SARS-CoV-2 in the ocular surface of COVID-19 patients
Hua-Tao Xie, Shiyun Jiang, Kang Xu, Xin Liu, Bing Xu, Lin Wang, Mingchang Zhang
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, while the routes of transmission of this virus are still controversial. We enrolled 33 patients, without any ocular manifestation, with their ocular surface swabs collected for virus detection. RNA was detected strong positive in samples of both eyes from two patients. Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 may exist in the normal ocular surface of COVID-19 patients, suggesting that this virus might be spread through conjunctival contact.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)CoronavirusVirusVirologyMedicineTransmission (telecommunications)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakRespiratory systemDiseaseInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakEngineeringElectrical engineeringRetinal and Optic ConditionsLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome