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High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
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SARS-CoV-2 in the Middle Ear-CovEar: A Prospective Pilot Study
Nina Rubicz1,2, Nikolaus Poier-Fabian1,2, Christian Paar3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kepler University Hospital GmbH, Krankenhausstrasse 9, 4020 Linz, Austria.
Journal of Personalized Medicine
|June 28, 2023
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 can infect the middle ear in living patients, including asymptomatic individuals. This finding has implications for ear surgery safety and potential audio-vestibular effects.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Post-mortem studies detected SARS-CoV-2 in the middle ear, but its presence in living patients remained unclear.
- The transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 to the middle ear (post-mortem vs. during infection) was not established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the middle ear of living patients undergoing ear surgery.
- To determine if SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the middle ear during active infection or post-infection in living individuals.
Main Methods:
- Surgical swabs collected from the nasopharynx and middle ear secretions during ear surgery.
- Samples tested for SARS-CoV-2 using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
- Patient data including vaccination history, COVID-19 status, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure were recorded.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the middle ear of two participants and the nasopharynx of four participants.
- The tracheal tube filter remained sterile in all tested cases.
- SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the middle ear of living patients, including asymptomatic individuals.
Conclusions:
- SARS-CoV-2 can penetrate the middle ear in living patients.
- The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the middle ear poses risks during ear surgery and for operating room staff.
- Middle ear SARS-CoV-2 infection may directly impact the audio-vestibular system.
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