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Ocular Immunology and Inflammation Volume 29, 2021 - Issue 4
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Research Article

The Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in Conjunctival Secretions of COVID-19 Patients

Emine Ciloglua Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Science Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, TurkeyCorrespondence[email protected]
, MD,
Nese Cetin Dogana Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Science Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
, MD,
Emre Ozdemira Department of Ophthalmology, University of Health Science Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
, MD,
Hatice Kayab Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Science Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
, MD &
Pelin Duru Cetinkayac Department of Chest Diseases, University of Health Science Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
, MD
Pages 652-655 | Received 21 Aug 2020, Accepted 21 Dec 2020, Published online: 05 May 2021
 
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ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival secretions of COVID-19 patients.

Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, the records were examined of patients who were treated in the hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 between March-May 2020 and were referred to the eye clinic due to ocular symptoms. Conjunctival swabs from both confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases during hospitalization were analyzed.

Results: A total of 35 patients (22 suspected, 13 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19) were referred to the eye clinic. Conjunctival swab samples from 3 patients yielded positive PCR results. These three patients were being treated in the intensive care unit, and all were suspected COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 may be detected in patients with suspected COVID-19. Even with conjunctivitis findings, SARS-CoV-2 may not be detected in most conjunctiva swab samples of COVID-19 patients.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

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