RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 1313
OP 1317
DO 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318618
VO 106
IS 9
A1 Maria Casagrande
A1 Antonia Fitzek
A1 Martin Spitzer
A1 Klaus Püschel
A1 Markus Glatzel
A1 Susanne Krasemann
A1 Martin Aepfelbacher
A1 Dominik Nörz
A1 Marc Lütgehetmann
A1 Susanne Pfefferle
A1 Maximilian Schultheiss
YR 2022
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/106/9/1313.abstract
AB Purpose Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human retinal biopsies (RBs) was previously reported by us. In this consecutive study, we analysed RB and optic nerve biopsies (ONBs) in deceased patients with confirmed COVID-19 assessing viral RNA load, possible virus replication and infectivity.Patients and methods In this case series, 14 eyes of 14 deceased patients with COVID-19 were enucleated during autopsy. RB and ONB were subjected to molecular detection of viral RNA, virus cultivation and immunohistochemistry. SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads were compared with RNA loads in the respective throat swabs, vitreous humour and blood samples.Results SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 7/14 RBs and in 10/13 ONBs. While virus isolation failed and immunohistochemistry of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was negative, subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) was detectable (40% RB; 60% ONB).Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in RB and ONB of patients with COVID-19. Presence of sgRNA could point to a SARS-CoV-2 infection of neuronal tissue, but as virus isolation failed and immunohistochemistry of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was negative, an active infection seems unlikely.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.