Body can get Coronavirus through the eyes, scientists say

Daily Mail of UK has reported that Scientists have claimed the coronavirus can enter the body through the eyes after finding they contain a protein used by the infection to bind to cells.

The virus – scientifically called SARS-CoV-2 – latches onto ACE-2 receptors, known as the ‘gateway’ into cells inside body.















These receptors are found in the respiratory tract and the lungs, which is where the virus first infiltrates cells, as well as other organs.













A team led by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States have now found the eyes produce ACE-2, making them a target for the virus.
















It means if droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough were to land on the surface of the eye, the virus could begin infiltrating cells there.

It may explain why some patients have suffered conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the eye which causes it to become red and infected.





















Not only could the virus enter the body through the eyes, but tears may serve as a spread of infection, scientists said.


















The team was led by Lingli Zhou of the Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.


















They analysed 10 human post-mortem eyes from people who did not die of COVID-19 for the expression of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2).

ACE-2 is understood to be the entry point for the virus. Its spiky surface binds to the receptors and, from there, infects the cell and replicates.(TRIBUNE)