A Patient with Bilateral Conjunctivitis Positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a Conjunctival Sample
Cornea, cilt.40, sa.3, ss.383-386, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2021
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002485
- Dergi Adı: Cornea
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.383-386
- Anahtar Kelimeler: coronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, conjunctivitis
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose:To present a patient with bilateral conjunctivitis, testing positive for viral RNA of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in both nasopharyngeal and conjunctival samples.Methods:A 40-year-old man with bilateral acute conjunctivitis and suspicious signs of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented to the hospital. A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed. Samples obtained from conjunctival and nasopharyngeal swabs were tested by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Ocular findings and duration of the presence of viral RNA in the conjunctival specimens were evaluated at follow-up visits.Results:Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed bilateral acute follicular conjunctivitis. The RT-PCR assay demonstrated the presence of viral RNA in the nasopharyngeal and conjunctival specimens at the initial visit and at the 4-day follow-up. Conjunctivitis findings were decreased after 4 days and recovered completely without any sequelae within10 days. The PCR results of both nasopharyngeal and conjunctiva specimens were negative for the viral RNA at 10 days.Conclusions:Bilateral conjunctivitis is rare in patients infected with COVID-19. Although it is difficult to detect viral RNA from conjunctival swabs, conjunctival secretions may be a source of contamination, and protective measures must be taken.