SARS-CoV-2 infection status in corneal preservation solution and COVID-19 prevalence after corneal transplantation

Abstract

The potential risks associated with organs from COVID-19-infected donors were unclear. To determine the SARS-CoV-2 infection status of corneas transplanted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the corneal preservation solution that was used for corneal transplantation. We also examined the postoperative health status of the recipients. This study included 144 transplants in 143 eyes. Ninety-nine eyes of imported corneas and 10 of the 14 corneas donated in the prefecture were PCR tested at our hospital, and all were SARS-CoV-2 negative. All corneal transplants were performed after confirming their SARS-CoV-2 negativity by a PCR using a corneal preservation solution at our hospital or a nasopharyngeal swab at a previous facility. Despite postoperative steroid administration, no patient developed COVID-19 infection until discharge. Hence, if the donor's nasopharyngeal swab test is SARS-CoV-2 negative, COVID-19 infection in the recipient due to corneal transplantation may be prevented. Since corneal transplant recipients are susceptible to infection due to prolonged steroid administration and are at high risk for severe diseases if infection occurs, SARS-CoV-2 detection testing using nasopharyngeal swabs in donors should be performed.

Risk of Corneal Transplant Rejection Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The importance of addressing this concern is twofold; not only does it bear significance for patient care but it also has implications for the formulation of vaccination guidelines for individuals awaiting or having undergone corneal transplantation. Consequently, there is an urgent need to thoroughly examine the existing evidence to determine the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of corneal transplant rejection [14][15][16][17]. While previous systematic reviews have delved into the characteristics and outcomes of corneal transplant rejection in the context of COVID-19 vaccination [18,19], there still needs to be a gap in the literature regarding a comprehensive assessment of the risk associated with corneal graft rejection post-vaccination.…”