Absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 replication in ex vivo cultured cornea and cornea-derived epithelial cells.

Purpose: To study the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 to infect human corneal cells and tissues under standard corneal culture conditions using explants of COVID-19 donors and primary cornea-derived epithelial cells.

Methods: Cornea isolated from deceased COVID-19 donors was cultured for 4 weeks, and SARS-CoV-2 replication was monitored by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, primary corneal epithelial cells from healthy donors were cultured ex vivo and infected with SARS-CoV-2 and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a control.

Factors influencing the contamination rate of human organ-cultured corneas.

Purpose: To assess the influence of donor, environment and storage factors on the contamination rate of organ-cultured corneas, to consider the microbiological species causing corneal contamination and to investigate the corresponding sensitivities.

Methods: Data from 1340 consecutive donor corneas were analysed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of different factors on the contamination rate of organ-cultured corneas for transplantation.

Evaluation of Factors Limiting Corneal Donation.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate factors limiting corneal donation at the University Hospital Tübingen. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively studied all hospital deaths from January 2012 to December 2015, considering each deceased patient as a potential corneal donor. During this period an ophthalmic resident managed corneal donor procurement on a full-time basis.