Evaluation of Conjunctival Swab PCR Results in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The study objective was to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in conjunctival swabs from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

Forty patients who tested positive by real-time reverse transcription (rRT)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were enrolled. Conjunctival swabbing was used to collect the tear and conjunctival secretions of patients.

Results

Conjunctival swab rRT‐PCR was positive for three patients and negative for 37 patients. Ten of the patients (25%) were diagnosed with conjunctivitis during the ophthalmic examination. Of these patients, one was found positive by conjunctival swab rRT‐PCR, and nine were found negative. The difference between patients who tested positive or negative using conjunctival swab rRT‐PCR was without statistical significance in terms of the presence of conjunctivitis (p = .720).

Conclusion

The rate of positivity from conjunctival swab rRT‐PCR was 7.5% in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

KEYWORDS:

• SARS-CoV-2
• conjunctival swab
• ocular disease

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest

Additional information

Funding

Not funded