Salivary glands are a target for SARS-CoV-2: a source for salivacontamination

The ability of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 to spread and contaminate is one of the determinants of the COVID-19 pandemic status. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in saliva consistently, with similar sensitivity to that observed innasopharyngeal swabs. We conducted ultrasound-guided postmortem biopsies in COVID-19 fatal cases. Samples ofsalivary glands (SGs; parotid, submandibular, and minor) were obtained. We analyzed samples using RT-qPCR, immu-nohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and histopathological analysis to identify SARS-CoV-2 and elucidate qual-itative and quantitative viral proles in salivary glands. The study included 13 female and 11 male patients, with amean age of 53.12 years (range 8­83 years). RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in 30 SG samples from18 patients (60% of total SG samples and 75% of all cases). Ultrastructural analyses showed spherical 70­100 nm viral particles, consistent in size and shape with the Coronaviridae family, in the ductal lining cell cytoplasm,acinar cells, and ductal lumen of SGs. There was also degeneration of organelles in infected cells and the presence of acluster of nucleocapsids, which suggests viral replication in SG cells. Qualitative histopathological analysis showedmorphologic alterations in the duct lining epithelium characterized by cytoplasmic and nuclear vacuolization, as wellas nuclear pleomorphism. Acinar cells showed degenerative changes of the zymogen granules and enlarged nuclei.Ductal epithelium and serous acinar cells showed intense expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS receptors. An anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody was positive in 8 (53%) of the 15 tested cases in duct lining epithelial cells and acinar cellsof major SGs. Only two minor salivary glands were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by immunohistochemistry. Salivaryglands are a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 and provide a pathophysiological background for studies that indicate theuse of saliva as a diagnostic method for COVID-19 and highlight this biological uid's role in spreading the disease.© 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Predictors of surgical complications of nephrectomy for urolithiasis

ABSTRACT Objectives: Nephrectomy due to stone disease may be a challenging procedure owing to the presence of significant inflammation and infection, involving high complication rate. The objective of our study was to identify predictors for complications of nephrectomy for urolithiasis. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 149 consecutive patients > 18y submitted to simple nephrectomy for urolithiasis from January 2006 to July 2012 was performed. Clinical data, computed tomography findings and pathology report were analyzed. Postoperative complications were categorized based on Clavien - Dindo classification. Logistic multivariate regression models assessed the predictors for surgical complications of nephrectomy for urolithiasis. Results: Eighty-three (55.7%) patients were submitted to laparoscopic nephrectomy and 66 (44.2%) to open procedure. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 19.2% (16 / 83). On univariable analysis, higher preoperative chronic kidney stage (p = 0.02), Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 2 (p = 0.04), higher ASA score (p = 0.001), urgency due to sepsis (p = 0.01), kidney size ≥ 12 cm (p = 0.006), renal and perirenal abscess (p = 0.004 and 0.002 respectively) and visceral adhesion (p = 0.04) were associated with Clavien - Dindo score > 1. On multivariate analysis, higher ASA score (p = 0.01), urgency due to sepsis (p = 0.03), kidney size ≥ 12 cm (p = 0.04) and preoperative abscess (p = 0.04) remained significantly associated with complications. End - stage renal disease with dialysis was needed post - operatively in 3.4% (5 / 144) of patients. Conclusions: We identified that higher ASA score, urgency due to sepsis, kidney size ≥ 12 cm and preoperative abscess were associated with Clavien - Dindo score > 1.