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Epidemiological Study and Seropositivity in Viral Panel Testing Among Corneal Tissue Donors
Nemi Isabel Pérez Peña1, Luis Enrique Sanchez García1, José Manuel García Romero1
1Transplant and Donation Department, Regional General Hospital 1 of the Mexican Social Security Institute, Querétaro, MEX.
Cureus
|October 21, 2024
Summary
Corneal donation in Mexico is primarily from males aged 56, with cardiovascular issues being leading causes of death. A higher-than-average viral infection rate (8.6%) necessitates improved donor screening and public awareness to boost corneal transplantation rates.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Corneal transplantation is vital for vision restoration, but tissue availability is limited by low donation rates, particularly in Mexico.
- Understanding corneal donor demographics and health characteristics is crucial for improving donation practices and addressing shortages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize cadaveric corneal donors in Mexico to identify factors influencing tissue availability.
- To analyze donor demographics, causes of death, comorbidities, and serological screening results.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed 185 corneal donor records from January 2022 to December 2023.
- Donors aged 2-85 with known causes of death were included; exclusions involved specific diseases and prior ocular surgeries.
- Serological testing for HIV, VDRL, COVID-19, HBV, and HCV was performed.
Main Results:
- The study included 185 donors (58.9% male) with a mean age of 56.34 years.
- Leading causes of death were cardiogenic shock (18.4%), hypovolemic shock (16.8%), and acute respiratory failure (16.2%).
- A significant 8.6% of donors were excluded due to positive viral serological tests, including 3.8% for HIV and 3.8% for SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusions:
- The typical corneal donor is male, around 56 years old, with cardiovascular or respiratory failure as the cause of death.
- The elevated seropositivity rate (8.6%) highlights a need for enhanced health interventions and donor screening protocols.
- Improving donation coordination and public awareness is essential to bridge the gap in corneal donation rates.
