ArticleGraefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie2022
Detection of SARS-CoV-2-RNA in post-mortem samples of human eyes.
Article in Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Intravitreal exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is associated with aggravated retinal lesions in a murine model of central retinal vein occlusion.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- New-onset conjunctivitis 3.5 years post SARS-CoV-2 infection in an inner-city population in the Bronx.BMJ open ophthalmology · 2025Article
- Incidence and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Ophthalmopathy Following the Termination of Dynamic Zero COVID-19 Strategy in China.Neuro-ophthalmology (Aeolus Press) · 2024Article
- Unilateral branch retinal artery occlusion in association with COVID-19: a case report.International journal of ophthalmology · 2024Article
- Long COVID and its association with neurodegenerative diseases: pathogenesis, neuroimaging, and treatment.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Review
- The spectrum of COVID-19-associated chorioretinal vasculopathy.American journal of ophthalmology case reports · 2023Article
- The impact of acute COVID-19 on the retinal microvasculature assessed with multimodal imaging.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2023Article
- The Comparison of Retinal Microvascular Findings in Acute COVID-19 and 1-Year after Hospital Discharge Assessed with Multimodal Imaging-A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Article
- Pathogenesis of Vascular Retinal Manifestations inBiomedicines · 2022Review
- Does SARS-CoV-2 affect neurodegenerative disorders? TLR2, a potential receptor for SARS-CoV-2 in the CNS.Experimental & molecular medicine · 2022Review
- Manifestations of coronavirus infection disease-19 in anterior eye segment: An up-to-date review.Oman journal of ophthalmologyReview
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Authors and funding
18 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeTo detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in post-mortem human eyes. Ocular symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19. In some cases, they can occur before the onset of respiratory and other symptoms. Accordingly, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in conjunctival samples and tear film of patients suffering from COVID-19. However, the detection and clinical relevance of intravitreal SARS-CoV-2 RNA still remain unclear due to so far contradictory reports in the literature.
methodsIn our study 20 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were evaluated post-mortem to assess the conjunctival and intraocular presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using sterile pulmonary and conjunctival swabs as well as intravitreal biopsies (IVB) via needle puncture. SARS-CoV-2 PCR and whole genome sequencing from the samples of the deceased patients were performed. Medical history and comorbidities of all subjects were recorded and analyzed for correlations with viral data.
resultsSARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 10 conjunctival (50%) and 6 vitreal (30%) samples. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing showed the distribution of cases largely reflecting the frequency of circulating lineages in the Munich area at the time of examination with no preponderance of specific variants. Especially there was no association between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in IVBs and infection with the variant of concern (VOC) alpha. Viral load in bronchial samples correlated positively with load in conjunctiva but not the vitreous.
conclusionSARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected post mortem in conjunctival tissues and IVBs. This is relevant to the planning of ophthalmologic surgical procedures in COVID-19 patients, such as pars plana vitrectomy or corneal transplantation. Furthermore, not only during surgery but also in an outpatient setting it is important to emphasize the need for personal protection in order to avoid infection and spreading of SARS-CoV-2. Prospective studies are needed, especially to determine the clinical relevance of conjunctival and intravitreal SARS-CoV-2 detection concerning intraocular affection in active COVID-19 state and in post-COVID syndrome.
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