Dr. REEMA BANSAL

Dr. VISHALI GUPTA

Abstract

Purpose: The RNA load of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients is unknown compared to nasopharyngeal swabs.

Methods: Conjunctival swabs of 93 COVID-19 patients were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Cycle threshold (Ct) values of ORF 1 Ab gene and N gene PCRs were used.

Results: 17 (18.27%) patients demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 RNA in conjunctival swabs. Despite a significant delay in conjunctival swab collection (median 7 days) compared to nasopharyngeal swab collection (median 2 days) from onset of illness (p < 0.001), Ct values were comparable between baseline nasopharyngeal and conjunctival swabs. During the recovery period when the second nasopharyngeal swab was ‘negative’, the conjunctival swab was ‘positive’ in 4 of 17 patients. Conclusion: Conjunctival swabs demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 18.27% COVID-19 patients. Our results may suggest a delayed or a prolonged shedding of viral RNA on the ocular surface than in nasopharyngeal mucosa.

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