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Type presentatieOral presentation
TitelCorrelating the detectability of SARS-CoV-2 in tears with general and ocular symptoms: a prospective clinical study in hospitalized symptomatic patients.
DoelSince December 2019, COVID-19 has been causing flu-like symptoms occasionally resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Ocular manifestations have been reported sporadically with conjunctivitis being the main symptom. The aim of this study is not only to confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the tear film but also to detect viable and replicating virus, thereby proving a possible transmission route through tears.
MethodesWe conducted a prospective study on 30 hospitalized patients with a nasopharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 via qPCR. Serial conjunctival swabbing was performed every 3 days until discharge. On the first day of inclusion, patients also completed a questionnaire evaluating their symptoms. Subgenomic (sg) RNA-testing, as a marker for viral replication, and viral cultures, in order to confirm viability, was performed in case of a positive conjunctival swab.
ResultatenFifteen percent reported conjunctivitis-like symptoms, none of these patients reported conjunctivitis as the first COVID-19 symptom. In total 176 swabs were collected. Thirteen swabs of 7 patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Consecutive conjunctival positivity was found in only 2 out of 7 patients. In 6 conjunctival samples sgRNA was detected and 2 of these samples had a positive viral culture.
ConclusieOur study confirms that conjunctivitis is among the spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms and that SARS-Cov-2 can be retrieved from the tear film. The detection of sgRNA in the tears and the positive viral cultures confirm the replication and viability of the virus in the tears signifying that SARS-Cov-2 should be considered as a possible transmission route in daily practice.
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Auteur 1
NaamLEYSEN
InitialenL
InstituutUZLeuven
Auteur 2
NaamDesmet
InitialenS
Auteur 3
NaamBlanckaert
InitialenG
Auteur 4
NaamMatthys
InitialenE
Auteur 5
NaamSchauwvlieghe
InitialenP
Auteur 6
NaamJoossens
InitialenM
InstituutUGent
Auteur 7
NaamMaes
InitialenP
Auteur 8
NaamCasteels
InitialenI
InstituutUZLeuven
Auteur 9
NaamSaelens
InitialenI
Auteur 10
NaamVan Keer
InitialenK
Auteur 11
NaamDelbeke
InitialenH
InstituutUZLeuven
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