Study shows: Corona also infects the eyes
Created: 04/28/2022, 07:53
By: Natalie Hull Drawbar
Corona not only infects the lungs, heart and brain.
The eyes can also be affected with visual disturbances, as a recent study shows.
Berlin – The Sars-CoV-2 virus is still an important research topic worldwide.
Although scientists can already make valid statements about the spread, symptoms and options for containment, Corona is still a mystery with regard to long-term consequences.
This is precisely why research in the field of Covid-19 is so valuable in order to be able to better understand and treat the virus in the long term.
Long Covid after a corona infection not only damages the lungs, heart and brain
"Long Covid" - A term that is now known worldwide and feared by doctors and corona patients.
Long Covid is now a disease recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It usually occurs three months after a corona infection.
The main symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating and loss of smell and taste.
Researchers know from studies that the Sars-CoV-2 virus can attack the liver and virus particles remain in the heart and brain for up to 230 days after the onset of the first symptoms.
As a result, corona survivors could possibly develop early-onset heart failure or dementia due to Long Covid.
Investigations into this are ongoing.
Study shows: Corona also infects the eyes
There is now increasing evidence that coronaviruses can also attach themselves to the retina of the human eye and cause damage.
As early as 2020, around three percent of those suffering from corona showed signs of conjunctivitis, which may have been a first indication that the eyes could be affected by Covid.
A team of researchers led by Dr.
Thomas Rauen and Prof. Hans Schöler from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine and the virologist Stephan Ludwig from the Westphalian Wilhelms University in Münster examined the Sars-CoV-2 infection in the retina of the eye.
For this they used so-called organoids - an organ-like model system - of the retina from human reprogrammed stem cells, which Dr.
Yotam Menuchin-Lasovsky developed.
Visual disturbances caused by corona infection give reason for research
After patients repeatedly reported neurological impairments and also visual disturbances during or after a corona infection and the corona virus could be detected in the retina of deceased patients, a specific study should follow.
"Our retinal organoid system reproduces the anatomically complex structure of the human retina amazingly well," says Dr.
Menuchin-Lasowski in a press release from the Max Planck Institute.
The retina-organoid model is a relevant alternative to animal testing.
There is increasing evidence that coronaviruses can also get into the retina of the eye and cause damage.
(Iconic image) © YAY Images/Imago
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Corona viruses also multiply in the retina of the eyes
The mature retinal organoids were infected with Sars-CoV-2 viruses by the scientists in the security laboratory of protection level 3 and analyzed after a known incubation period.
The attempt at infection worked.
Sars-CoV-2 actually infects retinal cells, especially retinal ganglion cells, but also light-sensing cells.
The researchers were also able to prove that corona viruses can multiply in retinal cells.
The researchers analyzed the organoids under a fluorescence microscope to identify which retinal cells were affected.
"Our current retina organoid study shows [...] that an infection with Sars-CoV-2 can have direct pathological consequences for the retinal ganglion cells, even if visual impairments are not common in patients with Covid-19," says Dr.
roughening
"However, our data give us reason to believe that so-called long-Covid symptoms may include degenerative diseases of the retina."
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
