Non-invasive SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection and human transcriptome analysis using skin surface lipids.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Dermatology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Skin manifestations are reported in COVID-19 patients.
• The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on skin surfaces, including sebum, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in skin surface lipids (SSLs) of COVID-19 patients.
• To analyze human transcriptome changes in SSLs.
• To explore a non-invasive method for SARS-CoV-2 detection and pathogenesis analysis.

Main Methods:

• Collected facial skin surface lipids (SSLs) using oil-blotting film from hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
• Utilized real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection.
• Performed human transcriptome analysis on the collected SSL samples.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 84.6% of facial SSL samples within 5 days of symptom onset and 30.4% by 6-10 days.
• Transcriptome analysis showed upregulation of interferon-stimulated gene (ISG)-related genes (e.g., ISG15, IFITM1, MX1) in SSLs.
• Demonstrated a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 presence and specific molecular signatures in skin lipids.

Conclusions:

• Skin surface lipids can be used for non-invasive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
• SSL analysis provides insights into the molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19.
• This technique offers a novel approach for simultaneous viral detection and host response assessment.