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In vitro infection of human ocular tissues by SARS-CoV-2 lineage A isolates.
- Source :
- BMC Ophthalmology; 12/30/2022, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p1-9, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Background: The purpose of this study was: [1] to evaluate the infectivity of two SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants on human ocular tissues in vitro, and [2] to evaluate the stability of SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants in corneal preservation medium. Methods: Primary cultures of donor corneal, conjunctival, and limbal epithelium were inoculated with two lineage A, GISAID clade S isolates of SARS-CoV-2 (Hong Kong/VM20001061/2020, USA-WA1/2020), to evaluate the susceptibility of the ocular tissue to infection. Flat-mounted Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) grafts were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 to evaluate the susceptibility of the endothelium to infection. All inoculated samples were immunostained for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N)-protein expression to confirm positive infection. SARS-CoV-2 Hong Kong was then inoculated into cornea preservation media (Life4°C, Numedis, Inc.). Inoculated media was stored at 4<superscript>o</superscript>C for 14 days and assayed over time for changes in infectious viral titers. Results: Corneal, conjunctival, and limbal epithelial cells all demonstrated susceptibility to infection by SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants. Conjunctiva demonstrated the highest infection rate (78% of samples infected [14/18]); however, infection rates did not differ statistically between cell types and viral isolates. After inoculation, 40% (4/10) of DSAEK grafts had active infection in the endothelium. SARS-CoV-2 lineage A demonstrated < 1 log decline in viral titers out to 14 days in corneal preservation media. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants can infect corneal, limbal, and conjunctival epithelium, as well as corneal endothelium. There was no statistical difference in infectivity between different lineage A variants. SARS-CoV-2 lineage A can survive and remain infectious in corneal preservation media out to 14 days in cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712415
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Ophthalmology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 161076890
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-022-02728-w