Postmortem examination of three SARS-CoV-2-positive autopsies including histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis.
Int J Legal Med
; 135(1): 329-339, 2021 Jan.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-734096
ABSTRACT
This paper describes three autopsy cases with postmortem diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with detailed macroscopic examination as well as advanced microscopic studies of organ tissues collected using hematoxylin-eosin stains and immunohistochemical markers. Two of the cases were admitted briefly in the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, and one was found deceased at his home address. All three autopsies were completed at the County morgue, in the COVID-19 restricted area, using complete protective equipment. The lungs of the patients seemed to be the center organ of invasion and pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus with diffuse areas of condensation, subpleural retraction zones but with different aspect of the classic bacterial bronchopneumonia. Microscopic evaluation revealed viral cytopathic effect of type II pneumocytes with a couple of cells that presented cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions and who tend to form clusters mimicking multinucleated giant cells. Hyaline membranes and destruction of the alveolar wall as well as microthrombi formation within the small blood vessels were constantly found in almost all our three cases. The spleen had sustained white pulp atrophy with absence of lymphoid follicles. There were no microscopic signs of viral infection on the myocardium or the other organs.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Lung
Type of study:
Case report
/
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Legal Med
Journal subject:
Jurisprudence
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S00414-020-02406-w
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