Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human corneal tissues donated in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ferrari, Stefano; Franco, Elena; Vecchio, Claudia Del; Zorzi, Ilaria; Fasolo, E.; Crisanti, Andrea; Ponzin, Diego

doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2022-000990

“…In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the preservation solution can be ruled out; however, the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the cornea cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, of the 101 corneas that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem nasopharyngeal swabs, only 3 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the corneal preservation solution 35 . It is possible that even if the donor had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the past, its RNA may not have been detected in the corneal preservation solution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

Wasai,

Yamada,

Ariyoshi

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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The potential risks associated with organs from COVID-19-infected donors were unclear. To determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection status of corneas transplanted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the corneal preservation solution that was used for corneal transplantation. We also examined the postoperative health status of the recipients. This study included 144 transplants in 143 eyes. Ninety-nine eyes of imported corneas and 10 of the 14 corneas donated in the prefecture were PCR tested at our hospital, and all were SARS-CoV-2 negative. All corneal transplants were performed after confirming their SARS-CoV-2 negativity by a PCR using a corneal preservation solution at our hospital or a nasopharyngeal swab at a previous facility. Despite postoperative steroid administration, no patient developed COVID-19 infection until discharge. Hence, if the donor's nasopharyngeal swab test is SARS-CoV-2 negative, COVID-19 infection in the recipient due to corneal transplantation may be prevented. Since corneal transplant recipients are susceptible to infection due to prolonged steroid administration and are at high risk for severe diseases if infection occurs, SARS-CoV-2 detection testing using nasopharyngeal swabs in donors should be performed.

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“…In this study, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the preservation solution can be ruled out; however, the survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the cornea cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, of the 101 corneas that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem nasopharyngeal swabs, only 3 were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the corneal preservation solution (29) . It is possible that even if the donor had been infected…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

Wasai,

Yamada,

Ariyoshi

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The potential risks associated with organs from COVID-19-infected donors were unclear. To determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection status of corneas transplanted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the corneal preservation solution that was used for corneal transplantation. We also examined the postoperative health status of the recipients. This study included 144 transplants in 143 eyes. Ninety-nine eyes of imported corneas and 10 of the 14 corneas donated in the prefecture were PCR tested at our hospital, and all were SARS-CoV-2 negative. All corneal transplants were performed after confirming their SARS-CoV-2 negativity by a PCR using a corneal preservation solution at our hospital or a nasopharyngeal swab at a previous facility. Despite postoperative steroid administration, no patient developed COVID-19 infection until discharge. Hence, if the donor's nasopharyngeal swab test is SARS-CoV-2 negative, COVID-19 infection in the recipient due to corneal transplantation may be prevented. Since corneal transplant recipients are susceptible to infection due to prolonged steroid administration and are at high risk for severe diseases if infection occurs, SARS-CoV-2 detection testing using nasopharyngeal swabs in donors should be performed.

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“…Ultrasonography revealed bilateral extensive choroidal separation, uveal tissue prolapses, and widespread conjunctival and ciliary congestion [ 252 ]. Following immunization, there is a risk of compromised corneal graft due to several different processes [ 253 ]. For example, the native-state immunologic privilege of the cornea may be jeopardized by increased vascular permeability induced by vaccination.…”

Section: Covid-19 Vaccines and Other Premature Ncdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Graft edema, as seen in this study, lends credence to this hypothesis. Since organ transplants often lead to increased expression of MHC antigens following rejection, it was postulated that vaccination could trigger the expression of corneal MHC [ 253 ]. Donor cells are a potential sitting duck for the host immune system because they lack MHC expression.…”

Section: Covid-19 Vaccines and Other Premature Ncdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can COVID-19 Vaccines Induce Premature Non-Communicable Diseases: Where Are We Heading to?

Hromić‐Jahjefendić

¹

,

Barh

²

,

Uversky

³

et al. 2023

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According to the WHO, as of January 2023, more than 850 million cases and over 6.6 million deaths from COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. Currently, the death rate has been reduced due to the decreased pathogenicity of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, but the major factor in the reduced death rates is the administration of more than 12.8 billion vaccine doses globally. While the COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives, serious side effects have been reported after vaccinations for several premature non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the reported adverse events are low in number. The scientific community must investigate the entire spectrum of COVID-19-vaccine-induced complications so that necessary safety measures can be taken, and current vaccines can be re-engineered to avoid or minimize their side effects. We describe in depth severe adverse events for premature metabolic, mental, and neurological disorders; cardiovascular, renal, and autoimmune diseases, and reproductive health issues detected after COVID-19 vaccinations and whether these are causal or incidental. In any case, it has become clear that the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks by a large margin. However, pre-existing conditions in vaccinated individuals need to be taken into account in the prevention and treatment of adverse events.

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Presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human corneal tissues donated in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 6 publications

References 20 publications

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

Can COVID-19 Vaccines Induce Premature Non-Communicable Diseases: Where Are We Heading to?

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