S-C Loon
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in tears
Tan Tock Seng Hospital|Singapore General Hospital|National University Hospital|Mayo Clinic in Arizona|Prince of Wales Hospital|Landcare Australia
severe acute respiratory syndrome sars new infectious disease caused global outbreak 2003 research shown caused novel coronavirus series cases reported polymerase chain reaction pcr testing tears demonstrated presence virus detection ocular infection tears using pcr technique widely used ophthalmologists diagnose infections virusesthis case series report cases classified probable suspect sars cases tear samples collected 36 consecutive patients suspected sars singapore period 12 days 718 april 2003 analysed pcr using protocols developed network laboratoriesthree patients probable sars one female two male patients positive results tear samples tear samples used confirm sars female patient positive tears positive specimens found cases sampled early course infectionthis first case series reported detection sars coronavirus tears important implications practice ophthalmology medicine ability detect isolate virus early phase disease may important diagnostic tool future patients tear sampling simple easily repeatable many healthcare workers close proximity eyes patients may source spread among healthcare workers inoculating patients ophthalmic practices may need change stringent barrier methods appropriate quarantine isolation measures vital managing patients sars