Exploration of the ocular surface infection by SARS-CoV-2 and implications for corneal donation: An ex vivo study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission through corneal graft is an ongoing debate and leads to strict restrictions in corneas procurement, leading to a major decrease in eye banking activity. The aims of this study are to specifically assess the capacity of human cornea to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and promote its replication ex vivo, and to evaluate the real-life risk of corneal contamination by detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in corneas retrieved in donors diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and nonaffected donors.

Methods and findings

To assess the capacity of human cornea to be infected by SARS-CoV-2, the expression pattern of SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) and activators TMPRS

SUBMITTER: Maurin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8887728 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature