SARS-COV-2 viral load in tears of patients with COVID-19 in the early symptomatic stages: comparison of two different tear sampling methods

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Sonmez A., Aydın Kurna S., Aslan F., KAPLAN F. B., Açıkalın B., Eker P.

International Ophthalmology, cilt.42, sa.8, ss.2425-2438, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 42 Sayı: 8
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10792-022-02243-3
  • Dergi Adı: International Ophthalmology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.2425-2438
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Tears, Viral load
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Kırklareli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in tears of patients with COVID-19 in the early symptomatic stages and to compare two different sampling methods. Materials and method: In this cross-sectional study, tears sampling was performed in COVID-19 patients admitted within the first 7 days of symptom onset. The samples were collected with both conjunctival swabs and Schirmer strips. Each specimen was analyzed via RT-PCR. The viral load was evaluated in terms of the cycle threshold value. Ocular and systemic symptoms and comorbidities of the patients were also recorded. Results: Forty patients were included. The average time from the initiation of symptoms was 3.15 days. Unilateral conjunctivitis has been observed in 5% of patients and foreign body sensation in 7.5% of patients. No viral RNA was detected in the tear samples of the patients with ocular findings. The positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 in tears was 2.5% (n = 1). None of the samples collected by Schirmer test strips yielded positive polymerase chain reaction result for SARS-COV-2. The Ct value of the positive conjunctival swab was 36.03 and the nasopharyngeal Ct value of the same patient was 25.68. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding rate has been determined as 2.5% in the tears of early symptomatic stage COVID-19 patients. The viral load of the tears was lower than the naso-oropharynx. The conjunctival swab method is recommended in tear collection to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR analysis in low viral load tears.