Detection of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and subgenomic RNA in retina and optic nerve of patients with COVID-19. Issue 9 (9th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casagrande, Maria; Fitzek, Antonia; Spitzer, Martin; Püschel, Klaus; Glatzel, Markus; Krasemann, Susanne; Aepfelbacher, Martin; Nörz, Dominik; Lütgehetmann, Marc; Pfefferle, Susanne; Schultheiss, Maximilian
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 106:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1313
• Page End: 1317
• Publication Date: 2021-04-09
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- optic nerve -- retina -- microbiology; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-318618
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : 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.