Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19
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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19. / Casagrande, Maria; Fitzek, Antonia; Spitzer, Martin; Püschel, Klaus; Glatzel, Markus; Krasemann, Susanne; Aepfelbacher, Martin; Nörz, Dominik; Lütgehetmann, Marc; Pfefferle, Susanne; Spitzer, Martin.
in: BRIT J OPHTHALMOL, Jahrgang 106, Nr. 9, 09.2022, S. 1313-1317.Publikationen: SCORING: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift/Zeitung › SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz › Forschung › Begutachtung
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19
AU - Casagrande, Maria
AU - Fitzek, Antonia
AU - Spitzer, Martin
AU - Püschel, Klaus
AU - Glatzel, Markus
AU - Krasemann, Susanne
AU - Aepfelbacher, Martin
AU - Nörz, Dominik
AU - Lütgehetmann, Marc
AU - Pfefferle, Susanne
AU - Spitzer, Martin
N1 - © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
PY - 2022/9
Y1 - 2022/9
N2 - 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.
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.
U2 - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318618
DO - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318618
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 33836988
VL - 106
SP - 1313
EP - 1317
JO - BRIT J OPHTHALMOL
JF - BRIT J OPHTHALMOL
SN - 0007-1161
IS - 9
ER -