Evaluation of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the aqueous humor and vitreous in patients undergoing combined phaco-vitrectomy surgery

Authors : Göksu Hande NAZ ŞİMDİVAR, Emine ÇİLOĞLU, Tuğba İNCEKALAN, Neşe ÇETİN DOĞAN, Nevzat ÜNAL, Hivda ÜLBEGİ POLAT, Esin AKÇAEL

Pages : 376-382

Doi:10.31362/patd.1232525

View : 49 | Download : 77

Publication Date : 2023-07-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: To investigate the presence of virus in the aqueous humor and vitreous of patients undergoing elective combined cataract and pars plana vitrectomy during the Coronavirus disease 2019 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(COVID-19); pandemic. Materials and methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, of the patients to undergo elective surgery, those who had a negative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( SARS-CoV-2); nasal swab test 24-72 hours prior to the surgery and who were asymptomatic were included. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were evaluated in blood samples taken 24-72 hours before the operation. 0.1 cc of aqueous humor and 0.1 cc of vitreous fluid were aspirated at the beginning of the surgery. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral ribonucleic acid insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RNA); was evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RT-PCR);. Results: Of 66 participants, 39 were male insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(59.1%); while 27 were female insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(40.9%);. Twenty-five patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(37.8%); had a history of COVID-19 between 20 days-60 days insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(mean 49 days); before the surgery. There were 58 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(87.9%); with a history of vaccination before the operation and 8 patients insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(12.1%); without a history of vaccination. No SARS CoV 2 RNA was detected in the aqueous humor and vitreous samples of any patient. IgG against SARSCoV-2 was detected in 3 patients who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 before and had no known history of COVID-19. Conclusion: We did not find any SARS-CoV-2 viral genetic material in the aqueous and vitreous fluids of asymptomatic participants whose nasal swab test results were negative, even if they recently had COVID-19. There is a need for more comprehensive studies investigating the latency of the virus in immune-privileged areas such as the eye, how long it remains in the eye even if it is withdrawn from the circulation, and possible eye diseases that it may cause during the convalescence period.
Keywords : Aköz hümor, COVID 19, SARS CoV 2, vitreous