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Type de présentation	Oral presentation
Titre	Correlating the detectability of SARS-CoV-2 in tears with general and ocular symptoms: a prospective clinical study in hospitalized symptomatic patients.

But	Since December 2019, COVID-19 has been causing flu-like symptoms occasionally resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Ocular manifestations have been reported sporadically with conjunctivitis being the main symptom. The aim of this study is not only to confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the tear film but also to detect viable and replicating virus, thereby proving a possible transmission route through tears.
Méthodes	We conducted a prospective study on 30 hospitalized patients with a nasopharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 via qPCR. Serial conjunctival swabbing was performed every 3 days until discharge. On the first day of inclusion, patients also completed a questionnaire evaluating their symptoms. Subgenomic (sg) RNA-testing, as a marker for viral replication, and viral cultures, in order to confirm viability, was performed in case of a positive conjunctival swab.
Résultats	Fifteen percent reported conjunctivitis-like symptoms, none of these patients reported conjunctivitis as the first COVID-19 symptom. In total 176 swabs were collected. Thirteen swabs of 7 patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Consecutive conjunctival positivity was found in only 2 out of 7 patients. In 6 conjunctival samples sgRNA was detected and 2 of these samples had a positive viral culture.
Conclusion	Our study confirms that conjunctivitis is among the spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms and that SARS-Cov-2 can be retrieved from the tear film. The detection of sgRNA in the tears and the positive viral cultures confirm the replication and viability of the virus in the tears signifying that SARS-Cov-2 should be considered as a possible transmission route in daily practice.
Conflit d'intérêt	Non
Détails conflits d'intérêt	Geen.

Auteur 1

Nom	LEYSEN
Initiales	L
Institut	UZLeuven

Auteur 2

Nom	Desmet
Initiales	S

Auteur 3

Nom	Blanckaert
Initiales	G

Auteur 4

Nom	Matthys
Initiales	E

Auteur 5

Nom	Schauwvlieghe
Initiales	P

Auteur 6

Nom	Joossens
Initiales	M
Institut	UGent

Auteur 7

Nom	Maes
Initiales	P

Auteur 8

Nom	Casteels
Initiales	I
Institut	UZLeuven

Auteur 9

Nom	Saelens
Initiales	I

Auteur 10

Nom	Van Keer
Initiales	K

Auteur 11

Nom	Delbeke
Initiales	H
Institut	UZLeuven