Clinical Ophthalmology (May 2021)
Evaluation of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA in the Conjunctival Secretions of COVID-19 Patients
Abstract
Hany Mahmoud,1 Ahmed Hamody,2 Hesham M Hefny,3 Dalia Tohamy,4 Islam Awny5 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt; 2Anesthesia Department, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt; 3Clinical Pathology Department, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt; 4Ophthalmology Department, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptCorrespondence: Hany MahmoudDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, EgyptTel +20 1024368111Email [email protected]: To assess the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA in the conjunctival secretions of confirmed COVID-19 patients by nasopharyngeal swabs and correlate its presence with the severity of the disease, patient’s age, sex and ocular symptoms.Methods: This study included 44 positive COVID-19 patients confirmed with nasopharyngeal swabs during the period 17– 28 February 2021 at Sohag Tropical Medicine Hospital. Tears and conjunctival secretions were examined for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA.Results: While non-reactive results are strongly correlated to low titre and vice versa, severity showed significant correlation with neither IgA reactivity nor titre. Meanwhile, IgA reactivity did not show significant correlation with either age or sex. The reactivity and IgA titre are correlated with ocular symptoms.Conclusion: The anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA could be found in ocular secretions in SARS-CoV-2 patients. There is no correlation with age or sex or severity of the disease; however, they are correlated with ocular symptoms.Keywords: anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA, ocular, secretions, swab
