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Ocular surface: A route for SARS CoV-2 transmission- a case report
Muhammad Hassan1,2, Fatima Mustafa1,3, Fibhaa Syed1,4
1Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Brain Hemorrhages
|September 21, 2021
Summary
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA has been detected in patient tears, suggesting potential transmission routes beyond respiratory droplets. Further research is needed to confirm ocular tropism and its role in COVID-19 spread.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily spreads via respiratory droplets.
- The potential for SARS-CoV-2 transmission through non-respiratory routes, such as ocular secretions, remains under investigation.
Observation:
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been identified in tear and conjunctival samples from infected individuals.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection confirms the presence of viral RNA in various bodily fluids, including tears and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Findings:
- The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in tears indicates that transmission may occur through ocular routes, in addition to or instead of aerosol droplets.
- While the virus's presence in tears is confirmed, its ocular tropism and the extent of its role in disease transmission are still debated.
Implications:
- Understanding all potential transmission routes is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies for COVID-19.
- Further investigation into ocular tropism could inform the development of targeted interventions and personal protective equipment recommendations.
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