scholarly journals Ocular manifestations and SARS-CoV-2 detection in tears and conjunctival scrape from non-severe COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1133-1137
Author(s):  
Bing Jiang ◽  
◽  
Wen-Long Wang ◽  
Min Hu ◽  
Sui He ◽  
...  

AIM: To explore the ocular features of corona virus disease (COVID)-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 detection in tears and conjunctival scrapes in non-severe COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This is a multicenter observational clinical study with no intervention conducted from Jan 25th to March 1st, 2020. Clinical data and samples of tears and conjunctival scraping were collected in consecutive laboratory-confirmed, non-severe COVID-19 patients from three hospitals. COVID-19 virus was analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kits. RESULTS: Totally 255 laboratory-confirmed, non-severe COVID-19 patients were recruited for ocular manifestation investigation. Of them, 54.9% were females, with a mean age of 49.4y. None of the patients has evidence of uveitis; 11 patients (4.3%) complained of mild asthenopia; 2 (0.8%) had mild conjunctival congestion and serous secretion. Twenty-five of them had performed tears and conjunctival scrape for COVID-19 virus detection, with 4 yield possible positive results in the nucleoprotein gene. One of them were asymptomatic with normal chest CT and positive pharyngeal swab result. CONCLUSION: Ocular manifestations are neither common nor specific in non-severe COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, COVID-19 virus nucleotides can be detected in the tears and conjunctival scrape samples, warranting further research on the transmissibility by the ocular route.

Author(s):  
Shakti Krishan Rajguru ◽  
Udesh Rajpurohit

Background: Scarce literature has been published thus far regarding ocular findings in the COVID-19. Methods: All patients were confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcriptase– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of nasopharynx or oropharynx swab specimens collected at an isolation facility, fever clinic, or hospital unit designated for suspected cases pending confirmation. Results: Overall, 25 patients (25.00%) had various ocular symptoms during COVID-19 infection. Among those with ocular symptoms, 19 patients (76.00%) presented with increased conjunctival discharge, including white mucoid (6 [24.00%]), thin watery (3 [12.00%]) and yellow-green purulent (11 [44.00%]) discharge, and with conjunctival congestion (2 [8.00%]). Other ocular manifestations contained ocular pain (3 [12.00%]), tearing (1 [4.00%]), and eyelid swelling (1 [4.00%]). Conclusion: We concluded that common ocular manifestations were conjunctival discharge, eye rubbing, and conjunctival congestion. Keywords: COVID-19, Ocular,  Eye.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bahadur ◽  
M. Bhat ◽  
S. Acharya ◽  
D. Janga ◽  
B. Campbell ◽  
...  

Research question: Is there vertical transmission (from mother to baby antenatally or intrapartum) after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infected pregnancy? Study design: A systematic search related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), pregnancy, neonatal complications, viral and vertical transmission. The duration was from December 2019 to May 2020. Results: A total of 84 studies with 862 COVID positive women were included. Two studies had ongoing pregnancies while 82 studies included 705 babies, 1 miscarriage and 1 medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP). Most publications (50/84, 59.5%), reported small numbers (<5) of positive babies. From 75 studies, 18 babies were COVID-19 positive. The first reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test was done in 449 babies and 2 losses, 2nd RT-PCR was done in 82 babies, IgM tests were done in 28 babies, and IgG tests were done in 28 babies. On the first RT-PCR, 47 studies reported time of testing while 28 studies did not. Positive results in the first RT-PCR were seen in 14 babies. Earliest tested at birth and the average time of the result was 22 hours. Three babies with negative first RT-PCR became positive on the second RT-PCR at day 6, day 7 and at 24 hours which continued to be positive at 1 week. Four studies with a total of 4 placental swabs were positive demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 localised in the placenta. In 2 studies, 10 tests for amniotic fluid were positive for SARS-CoV-2. These 2 babies were found to be positive on RT-PCR on serial testing. Conclusion: Diagnostic testing combined with incubation period and placental pathology indicate a strong likelihood that intrapartum vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from mother to baby is possible.


1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mori ◽  
K Mimori ◽  
H Ueo ◽  
K Tsuji ◽  
T Shiraishi ◽  
...  

PURPOSE This study evaluates the clinical significance of detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA in the dissected lymph nodes and peripheral blood samples of patients with gastrointestinal or breast carcinomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 406 lymph nodes obtained from 65 patients were analyzed by both histologic and molecular examination of CEA-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Peripheral blood samples from another 102 patients were also analyzed by CEA-specific RT-PCR. Patients were followed up prospectively for 24 +/- 12 months. RESULTS Of 406 lymph nodes, the positive detection rate increased from 20% by histologic examination to 60% by RT-PCR examination. The recurrence rate was 40% in 15 cases showing positive results in both examinations, 14% in 29 cases showing histologically negative but RT-PCR positive results, and none in 21 cases showing negative results in both examinations. The positive detection rate for CEA mRNA in peripheral blood samples increased with advancing stage of disease. With respect to 62 curatively operated cases, CEA mRNA was detected in 12 cases. Four of these 12 cases developed metastatic disease after surgery whereas none of 50 cases negative by RT-PCR developed metastasis. CONCLUSION It has been shown that RT-PCR is a powerful tool to detect CEA mRNA in the lymph nodes or the peripheral blood. This is potentially very useful to determine high-risk patients for metastasis. Serial analysis is warranted to assess the long-term significance of this method and its therapeutic and prognostic implications.


Plant Disease ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Stewart ◽  
Annette Nassuth

The presence of Rupestris stem pitting associated virus (RSPaV) can go unnoticed since symptoms appear only if additional viruses are present. Detection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is possible; however, this assay could be unreliable if the tissue that is being tested has detection-interfering compounds, or if the virus has a low titer. This paper reports on (i) use of a recently developed extraction method and internal control to determine which tissues from field-grown grapevines yield extracts that are reliable for virus detection by RT-PCR, and (ii) a survey for RSPaV of different tissues from the Vitis vinifera varieties Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay, as well as from the rootstocks 3309 and Riparia, which were harvested in Ontario, Canada, at different times of the year. Amplifiable extracts were obtained from virtually all bud, shoot tip, seed, and cane samples tested. Detectable amounts of RSPaV were generally found in all tissues of infected plants except young buds collected in the summer. A combination of three single buds from dormant canes, less time-consuming than the preparation of cane shavings, was a reliable source for RSPaV detection.


1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 2244-2250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tschentscher ◽  
Christoph Wagener ◽  
Michael Neumaier

Abstract Processed pseudogenes of residual contaminating genomic DNA interfere with a sensitive detection of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) mRNA by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This may cause false-positive results when CK18 mRNA is used as a marker for ectopic tumor cells in specimens from cancer patients. To establish a sensitive CK18 RT-PCR by excluding the amplification of processed pseudogenes, the following strategy was chosen: (a) CK18 pseudogene sequences were cloned from genomic DNA by PCR; (b) cDNA-specific primers were designed on the basis of mismatches between pseudogenes and cDNA; (c) PCR conditions were adjusted to reach maximum sensitivity and specificity. Epithelial cells (1–10) could be detected in 1 mL of blood. Among the numerous CK18 genes homologous to the transcribed gene, at least two different processed pseudogenes exist that are highly homologous to each other and to the exons of the transcribed CK18 gene.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Schwab ◽  
R. De Leon ◽  
M. D. Sobsey

This study developed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection system for enteric viruses in sample concentrates obtained by conventional filter adsorption-elution methods. One liter beef extract (BE)-glycine (G) eluant seeded with poliovirus 1 and hepatitis A virus (HAV) was used as a model system and the eluant further processed for RT-PCR compatibility. Sample concentration and purification procedures consisted of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, Pro-Cipitate (Affinity Technology, New Brunswick, NJ) precipitation, a second PEG precipitation, spin-column chromatography, and ultrafiltration. Sample volumes are reduced from 1 L to 20-40 µL and purified sufficiently for viral detection by RT-PCR. As little as 3 PFU of poliovirus 1 in an initial 1 L eluate were detected by RT-PCR.


2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 810-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio Monteiro de Almeida ◽  
Sônia Mara Raboni ◽  
Meri Bordignon Nogueira ◽  
Luine R. Renaud Vidal

ABSTRACT The presence of hemoglobin in samples are considered an important inhibitory factor for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim of this study was to examine the influence of red blood cells (RBC)s in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as an inhibitory factor to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for enteroviruses (EV). Forty-four CSF samples from patients showing characteristics of viral meningitis were assessed for EV by RT-PCR. Viral RNA extracted with guanidine isothyocianate buffer and virus detection was performed by in-house nested PCR. Positivity for EV RT-PCR was higher in CSF samples without RBCs than in samples with RBCs: 13(26%) and 36(9.2%), p = 0.001. In the group with positive EV RT-PCR, the mean + SD CSF RBC was 37 ± 183 cell/mm3; the group with negative results had 580 + 2,890 cell/mm3 (p = 0.007). The acceptable upper limit for CSF RBCs that could not influence RT-PCR was 108 cells/mm3. CSF samples with negative results for EV RT-PCR have more erythrocytes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (02) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Lih-Chiann Wang ◽  
Wei-En Hsu ◽  
Wei Thong ◽  
Ting-Yen Chao ◽  
Ching-Ho Wang

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used routinely to detect the avian influenza virus (AIV) nucleoprotein (NP) gene. The purpose of the present study was to compare the correctness of a nested RT-PCR (nRT-PCR), one conventional RT-PCR with its outer primer (oRT-PCR) and the other conventional RT-PCR with its inner primer (iRT-PCR) to detect AIV NP gene. A total of 365 AI-free fecal swabs (73 pools), 7 tracheal swabs and anllantoic fluid from 25 chicken embryos were used to determine the analytic specificities of those tests. Compared with the iRT-PCR, the nRT-PCR was more sensitive for AIV detection. However, the specificities of nRT-PCR, oRT-PCR and iRT-PCR were 48.6% (35/72), 100% (67/67) and 91.3% (84/92), respectively. The amplifying band was sequenced and confirmed to be the AIV NP gene as the positive control. The specificity of this nRT-PCR is too low to be used for the AIV screening test.


2020 ◽  
pp. 105-106
Author(s):  
Miah Wahiduzzaman ◽  
Muhammad Abdur Rahim

Re-infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and co-infection by dengue virus and SARS-CoV-2 are possible. We report a case of dengue haemorrhagic fever, occurring in a young Bangladeshi man, who concurrently tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Four months previously, he suffered a mild form of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This case is reported to make the physicians aware that, co-infections are possible in this COVID-19 pandemic, specially in dengue endemic regions and countries like Bangladesh. Birdem Med J 2020; 10, COVID Supplement: 105-106


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