The eyes have it: influenza virus infection beyond the respiratory tract

Belser, Jessica A.; Lash, R. Ryan; Garg, Shikha; Tumpey, Terrence M.; Maines, Taronna R.

doi:10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30102-6

Cited by 53 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Respiratory viruses, including influenza virus have shown tropism towards the eye [ 27 , 28 ] and have been reported to infect and replicate at the ocular surface [ 29 ]. To our knowledge, our study is the first, to show SARS-CoV-2 antigens in ocular tissue of COVID-19 patients that were procured without PVP-I disinfection treatment, supporting the idea that SARS-CoV-2 could infect corneal epithelial cells.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues

Sawant¹,

et al. 2021

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Background SARS-CoV-2 is found in conjunctival swabs and tears of COVID-19 patients. However, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected in the human eye to date. We undertook this study to analyze the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues. Methods The expression of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was assessed by RT-PCR in corneal and scleral tissues from 33 surgical-intended donors who were eliminated from a surgical use per Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) donor screening guidelines or medical director review or positive COVID-19 test. Ocular levels of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (RT-PCR), Envelope and Spike proteins (immunohistochemistry) and anti -SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies (ELISA) in blood were evaluated in 10 COVID-19 donors. Findings Of 132 ocular tissues from 33 surgical-intended donors, the positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was ∼13% (17/132). Of 10 COVID-19 donors, six had PCR positive post-mortem nasopharyngeal swabs whereas eight exhibited positive post-mortem anti -SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels. Among 20 eyes recovered from 10 COVID-19 donors: three conjunctival, one anterior corneal, five posterior corneal, and three vitreous swabs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 spike and envelope proteins were detected in epithelial layer of the corneas that were procured without Povidone-Iodine (PVP–I) disinfection. Interpretations Our study showed a small but noteworthy prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in ocular tissues from COVID-19 donors. These findings underscore the criticality of donor screening guidelines, post-mortem nasopharyngeal PCR testing and PVP-I disinfection protocol to eliminate any tissue harboring SARS-CoV-2 being used for corneal transplantation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues

Sawant¹,

et al. 2021

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“…The portal of entry for human infections is mostly through the conjunctiva (e.g., rubbing the eye), nasal and mucosal membranes (e.g., inhalation of dust, droplets), or probably swimming in contaminated pools. Eating of well-cooked meat is not a source of human infections with IAVs until now [ 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 ].…”

Section: Sources Of Human Infections With Zoonotic Iavmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic Potential of Influenza A Viruses: A Comprehensive Overview

Mostafa

Mettenleiter

et al. 2018

Viruses

193

188

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Influenza A viruses (IAVs) possess a great zoonotic potential as they are able to infect different avian and mammalian animal hosts, from which they can be transmitted to humans. This is based on the ability of IAV to gradually change their genome by mutation or even reassemble their genome segments during co-infection of the host cell with different IAV strains, resulting in a high genetic diversity. Variants of circulating or newly emerging IAVs continue to trigger global health threats annually for both humans and animals. Here, we provide an introduction on IAVs, highlighting the mechanisms of viral evolution, the host spectrum, and the animal/human interface. Pathogenicity determinants of IAVs in mammals, with special emphasis on newly emerging IAVs with pandemic potential, are discussed. Finally, an overview is provided on various approaches for the prevention of human IAV infections.

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“…Co-infection could aggravate the disease and induce the early death of animals (Löhr et al, 2010;Kash et al, 2011;Metzger and Sun, 2013). The detection of viral matrix gene from conjunctival swab samples could reinforce that influenza A virus using the eye as a portal of entry as well as a primary site of virus replication (Belser et al, 2018). Six (75%) nasal fluid samples from trash service horses that presented characteristic symptoms of Influenza A virus were positive to matrix gene amplification.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Peer Review #2 of "Genetic and serologic surveillance of canine (CIV) and equine (EIV) influenza virus in Nuevo León State, México (v0.1)"

2019

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Background: Despite the uncontrolled distribution of the Influenza A virus through wild birds, the detection of canine (CIV) and equine influenza virus (EIV) in Mexico was absent until now. Recently, outbreaks of equine and canine influenza have been reported around the world; the virus spreads quickly among animals and there is potential for zoonotic transmission. Methods: Amplification of the Influenza A virus matrix gene from necropsies, nasal and conjunctival swabs from trash service horses and pets/stray dogs was performed through RT-PCR. The seroprevalence was carried out through Sandwich ELISA system using the M1 recombinant protein and polyclonal antibodies anti-M1. Results: The matrix gene was amplified from 13 (19.11%) nasal swabs, 2 (2.94%) conjunctival swabs and 5 (7.35%) lung necropsies, giving a total of 20 (29.41%) positive samples in a pet dog population. A total of 6 (75%) positive samples of equine nasal swab were amplified. Sequence analysis showed 96-99% identity with sequences of Influenza A virus matrix gene present in H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed higher identity with matrix gene sequences detected from zoonotic isolates of subtype H1N1/2009.

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The eyes have it: influenza virus infection beyond the respiratory tract

Cited by 53 publications

References 66 publications

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in human post-mortem ocular tissues

Zoonotic Potential of Influenza A Viruses: A Comprehensive Overview

Peer Review #2 of "Genetic and serologic surveillance of canine (CIV) and equine (EIV) influenza virus in Nuevo León State, México (v0.1)"

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