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Borczuk AC. Pathology of COVID-19 Lung Disease. Surg Pathol Clin 2024; 17:203-214. [PMID: 38692805 DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The pathology of severe COVID-19 lung injury is predominantly diffuse alveolar damage, with other reported patterns including acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. Lung injury was caused by primary viral injury, exaggerated immune responses, and superinfection with bacteria and fungi. Although fatality rates have decreased from the early phases of the pandemic, persistent pulmonary dysfunction occurs and its pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain C Borczuk
- Department of Pathology, Northwell Health, 2200 Northern Boulevard Suite 104, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA.
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de Sá KSG, Amaral LA, Rodrigues TS, Caetano CCS, Becerra A, Batah SS, Lopes FT, de Oliveira IM, Lopes LS, Almeida L, Mota CM, Oliveira S, Wada DT, Koenigkam-Santos M, Martins RB, Rosales RRC, Arruda E, Fabro AT, Zamboni DS. Pulmonary inflammation and viral replication define distinct clinical outcomes in fatal cases of COVID-19. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012222. [PMID: 38838044 PMCID: PMC11182505 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has affected more than half a billion people worldwide, with more than 6.3 million deaths, but the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in lethal cases and the host determinants that determine the different clinical outcomes are still unclear. In this study, we assessed lung autopsies of 47 COVID-19 patients and examined the inflammatory profiles, viral loads, and inflammasome activation. Additionally, we correlated these factors with the patient's clinical and histopathological conditions. Robust inflammasome activation was detected in the lungs of lethal cases of SARS-CoV-2. Experiments conducted on transgenic mice expressing hACE2 and infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed that Nlrp3-/- mice were protected from disease development and lethality compared to Nlrp3+/+ littermate mice, supporting the involvement of this inflammasome in disease exacerbation. An analysis of gene expression allowed for the classification of COVID-19 patients into two different clusters. Cluster 1 died with higher viral loads and exhibited a reduced inflammatory profile than Cluster 2. Illness time, mechanical ventilation time, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory functions, histopathological status, thrombosis, viral loads, and inflammasome activation significantly differed between the two clusters. Our data demonstrated two distinct profiles in lethal cases of COVID-19, thus indicating that the balance of viral replication and inflammasome-mediated pulmonary inflammation led to different clinical outcomes. We provide important information to understand clinical variations in severe COVID-19, a process that is critical for decisions between immune-mediated or antiviral-mediated therapies for the treatment of critical cases of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyla S. G. de Sá
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luana A. Amaral
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamara S. Rodrigues
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila C. S. Caetano
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Becerra
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina S. Batah
- Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe T. Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isadora M. de Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Letícia S. Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Almeida
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caroline M. Mota
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo T. Wada
- Departamento de Imagens Médicas, Hematologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcel Koenigkam-Santos
- Departamento de Imagens Médicas, Hematologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo B. Martins
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta R. C. Rosales
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eurico Arruda
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre T. Fabro
- Departamento de Patologia e Medicina Legal, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dario S. Zamboni
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Borczuk AC. Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Long COVID-19. Mod Pathol 2024; 37:100378. [PMID: 37931841 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterized by an acute respiratory illness that, in some patients, progresses to respiratory failure, largely demonstrating a pattern of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Excluding fatal cases, the outcome of this severe illness ranges from complete resolution to persistent respiratory dysfunction. This subacute-to-chronic respiratory illness has different manifestations and is collectively termed as "long COVID." The pathogenesis of organ dysfunction in acute injury stems from exaggerated innate immune response, complement activation, and monocyte influx, with a shift toward an organ injury state with abnormalities in cellular maturation. Although the increased rate of thrombosis observed in acute COVID-19 does not appear to persist, interestingly, ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 and post-COVID pathogeneses appear to reflect the persistence of immune and cellular disturbances triggered by the acute and subacute periods.
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Turdybekova YG, Kopobayeva IL, Turmukhambetova AA, Kamyshanskiy YK. Multi-organ dysfunction and outcomes in pregnancy associated COVID-19 infection - descriptive review of pathological findings. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:45. [PMID: 38195406 PMCID: PMC10775618 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06240-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S) Comparative clinical and morphological characterization of lesions of the vascular and nervous system in cases of maternal death associated with COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN The study included autopsy in 12 cases of maternal death with a positive intravital result for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. For histopathology, tissue samples were taken from the internal organs of each patient. Pieces of organs were fixed and stained according to the standard protocol. The relative number of microvessels with vasculitis and fibers of the peripheral nervous system with infiltration by immune cells was studied. All morphological changes were classified depending on the severity of the damage. RESULTS The average age of patients with a fatal outcome was 35 ± 4.4 years. Time to death after onset of symptoms averaged 16 ± 4.4 days. Dystrophic lesions (necrosis and apoptosis) of the villous and extravillous trophoblast and decidual tissue were observed in the studied placentas. Histopathological signs of mild and severe lesions of the peripheral nervous system in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract were detected in 2 (16.7%) and 10 (83.3%) cases, respectively, in the myocardium in 4 (33.3%) and 8 (66.7%) cases. Histopathological signs of severe damage to the microvascular bed in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract were registered in 9 (75%) cases. CONCLUSION(S) The main clinical feature of this cohort was that death occurred in a long-term period, in most cases with a negative PCR. The histopathological pattern was a non-acute injury with an immune component of the microvascular bed and the autonomic nervous system with predominant damage to the myocardium and intestines. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO THE CLINICAL WORK This study makes it possible to even better study the immunopathological profile in organs and tissues in pregnant women with a fatal outcome when affected by a viral infection, in particular Covid-19. This knowledge can be used when humanity encounters other viral pandemics in the future.
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Cîrjaliu RE, Deacu M, Gherghișan I, Marghescu AȘ, Enciu M, Băltățescu GI, Nicolau AA, Tofolean DE, Arghir OC, Fildan AP. Clinicopathological Outlines of Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis Compared with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1739. [PMID: 37371834 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review brings together the current knowledge regarding the risk factors and the clinical, radiologic, and histological features of both post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), describing the similarities and the disparities between these two diseases, using numerous databases to identify relevant articles published in English through October 2022. This review would help clinicians, pathologists, and researchers make an accurate diagnosis, which can help identify the group of patients selected for anti-fibrotic therapies and future therapeutic perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana-Elena Cîrjaliu
- Department of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Emergency "St. Andrew" Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Mariana Deacu
- Clinical Emergency "St. Andrew" Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Department of Anatomopathology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Ioana Gherghișan
- Department of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Pneumology Hospital of Constanta, 900002 Constanta, Romania
| | - Angela-Ștefania Marghescu
- Department of Anatomopathology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Pneumology Institute "Marius Nasta", 50158 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Manuela Enciu
- Clinical Emergency "St. Andrew" Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
- Department of Anatomopathology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Gabriela Izabela Băltățescu
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology-CEDMOG, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Antonela Anca Nicolau
- Center for Research and Development of the Morphological and Genetic Studies of Malignant Pathology-CEDMOG, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Doina-Ecaterina Tofolean
- Department of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Clinical Emergency "St. Andrew" Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Oana Cristina Arghir
- Department of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Pneumology Hospital of Constanta, 900002 Constanta, Romania
| | - Ariadna-Petronela Fildan
- Department of Pneumology, Faculty of Medicine, "Ovidius" University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Pneumology Hospital of Constanta, 900002 Constanta, Romania
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Van Slambrouck J, Khan M, Verbeken E, Choi S, Geudens V, Vanluyten C, Feys S, Vanhulle E, Wollants E, Vermeire K, De Fays C, Aversa L, Kaes J, Van Raemdonck D, Vos R, Vanaudenaerde B, De Hertogh G, Wauters E, Wauters J, Ceulemans LJ, Mombaerts P. Visualising SARS-CoV-2 infection of the lung in deceased COVID-19 patients. EBioMedicine 2023; 92:104608. [PMID: 37224768 PMCID: PMC10202122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. Several negative-sense SARS-CoV-2 RNA species, both full-length genomic and subgenomic, are produced transiently during viral replication. Methodologies for rigorously characterising cell tropism and visualising ongoing viral replication at single-cell resolution in histological sections are needed to assess the virological and pathological phenotypes of future SARS-CoV-2 variants. We aimed to provide a robust methodology for examining the human lung, the major target organ of this RNA virus. METHODS A prospective cohort study took place at the University Hospitals Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. Lung samples were procured postmortem from 22 patients who died from or with COVID-19. Tissue sections were fluorescently stained with the ultrasensitive single-molecule RNA in situ hybridisation platform of RNAscope combined with immunohistochemistry followed by confocal imaging. FINDINGS We visualised perinuclear RNAscope signal for negative-sense SARS-CoV-2 RNA species in ciliated cells of the bronchiolar epithelium of a patient who died with COVID-19 in the hyperacute phase of the infection, and in ciliated cells of a primary culture of human airway epithelium that had been infected experimentally with SARS-CoV-2. In patients who died between 5 and 13 days after diagnosis of the infection, we detected RNAscope signal for positive-sense but not for negative-sense SARS-CoV-2 RNA species in pneumocytes, macrophages, and among debris in the alveoli. SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels decreased after a disease course of 2-3 weeks, concomitant with a histopathological change from exudative to fibroproliferative diffuse alveolar damage. Taken together, our confocal images illustrate the complexities stemming from traditional approaches in the literature to characterise cell tropism and visualise ongoing viral replication solely by the surrogate parameters of nucleocapsid-immunoreactive signal or in situ hybridisation for positive-sense SARS-CoV-2 RNA species. INTERPRETATION Confocal imaging of human lung sections stained fluorescently with commercially available RNAscope probes for negative-sense SARS-CoV-2 RNA species enables the visualisation of viral replication at single-cell resolution during the acute phase of the infection in COVID-19. This methodology will be valuable for research on future SARS-CoV-2 variants and other respiratory viruses. FUNDING Max Planck Society, Coronafonds UZ/KU Leuven, European Society for Organ Transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Van Slambrouck
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Erik Verbeken
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sumin Choi
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Vincent Geudens
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cedric Vanluyten
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simon Feys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emiel Vanhulle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elke Wollants
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Vermeire
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte De Fays
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Pole of Pneumology, ENT, and Dermatology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lucia Aversa
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janne Kaes
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Van Raemdonck
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Vos
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart Vanaudenaerde
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gert De Hertogh
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Wauters
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Wauters
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Medical Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurens J Ceulemans
- Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Septimiu-Radu S, Gadela T, Gabriela D, Oancea C, Rosca O, Lazureanu VE, Fericean RM, Bratosin F, Dumitrescu A, Stoicescu ER, Bagiu I, Murariu M, Mavrea A. A Systematic Review of Lung Autopsy Findings in Elderly Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052070. [PMID: 36902856 PMCID: PMC10004532 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 may cause various and multiorgan diseases, few research studies have examined the postmortem pathological findings of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals who died. Active autopsy results may be crucial for understanding how COVID-19 infection operates and preventing severe effects. In contrast to younger persons, however, the patient's age, lifestyle, and concomitant comorbidities might alter the morpho-pathological aspects of the damaged lungs. Through a systematic analysis of the available literature until December 2022, we aimed to provide a thorough picture of the histopathological characteristics of the lungs in patients older than 70 years who died of COVID-19. A thorough search was conducted on three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), including 18 studies and a total of 478 autopsies performed. It was observed that the average age of patients was 75.6 years, of which 65.4% were men. COPD was identified in an average of 16.7% of all patients. Autopsy findings indicated significantly heavier lungs, with an average weight of the right lung of 1103 g, while the left lung mass had an average weight of 848 g. Diffuse alveolar damage was a main finding in 67.2% of all autopsies, while pulmonary edema had a prevalence of between 50% and 70%. Thrombosis was also a significant finding, while some studies described focal and extensive pulmonary infarctions in 72.7% of elderly patients. Pneumonia and bronchopneumonia were observed, with a prevalence ranging from 47.6% to 89.5%. Other important findings described in less detail comprise hyaline membranes, the proliferation of pneumocytes and fibroblasts, extensive suppurative bronchopneumonic infiltrates, intra-alveolar edema, thickened alveolar septa, desquamation of pneumocytes, alveolar infiltrates, multinucleated giant cells, and intranuclear inclusion bodies. These findings should be corroborated with children's and adults' autopsies. Postmortem examination as a technique for studying the microscopic and macroscopic features of the lungs might lead to a better knowledge of COVID-19 pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, hence enhancing elderly patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susa Septimiu-Radu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tejaswi Gadela
- School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India
| | - Doros Gabriela
- Department of Pediatrics, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristian Oancea
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Rosca
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Voichita Elena Lazureanu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Manuela Fericean
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bratosin
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Dumitrescu
- Cardioprevent Foundation, Calea Dorobantilor 3, Timisoara 300134, Romania
| | - Emil Robert Stoicescu
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iulia Bagiu
- Department of Microbiology, Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Mircea Murariu
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Mavrea
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology Clinic, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Bussani R, Zentilin L, Correa R, Colliva A, Silvestri F, Zacchigna S, Collesi C, Giacca M. Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients seemingly recovered from COVID-19. J Pathol 2023; 259:254-263. [PMID: 36651103 PMCID: PMC10107739 DOI: 10.1002/path.6035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection is clinically heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to deadly. A few patients with COVID-19 appear to recover from acute viral infection but nevertheless progress in their disease and eventually die, despite persistent negativity at molecular tests for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Here, we performed post-mortem analyses in 27 consecutive patients who had apparently recovered from COVID-19 but had progressively worsened in their clinical conditions despite repeated viral negativity in nasopharyngeal swabs or bronchioalveolar lavage for 11-300 consecutive days (average: 105.5 days). Three of these patients remained PCR-negative for over 9 months. Post-mortem analysis revealed evidence of diffuse or focal interstitial pneumonia in 23/27 (81%) patients, accompanied by extensive fibrotic substitution in 13 cases (47%). Despite apparent virological remission, lung pathology was similar to that observed in acute COVID-19 individuals, including micro- and macro-vascular thrombosis (67% of cases), vasculitis (24%), squamous metaplasia of the respiratory epithelium (30%), frequent cytological abnormalities and syncytia (67%), and the presence of dysmorphic features in the bronchial cartilage (44%). Consistent with molecular test negativity, SARS-CoV-2 antigens were not detected in the respiratory epithelium. In contrast, antibodies against both spike and nucleocapsid revealed the frequent (70%) infection of bronchial cartilage chondrocytes and para-bronchial gland epithelial cells. In a few patients (19%), we also detected positivity in vascular pericytes and endothelial cells. Quantitative RT-PCR amplification in tissue lysates confirmed the presence of viral RNA. Together, these findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection can persist significantly longer than suggested by standard PCR-negative tests, with specific infection of specific cell types in the lung. Whether these persistently infected cells also play a pathogenic role in long COVID remains to be addressed. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Bussani
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Zentilin
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Ricardo Correa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Colliva
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Furio Silvestri
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Collesi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Giacca
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.,School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, King's College London, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, London, UK
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9
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Falcón-Cama V, Montero-González T, Acosta-Medina EF, Guillen-Nieto G, Berlanga-Acosta J, Fernández-Ortega C, Alfonso-Falcón A, Gilva-Rodríguez N, López-Nocedo L, Cremata-García D, Matos-Terrero M, Pentón-Rol G, Valdés I, Oramas-Díaz L, Suarez-Batista A, Noa-Romero E, Cruz-Sui O, Sánchez D, Borrego-Díaz AI, Valdés-Carreras JE, Vizcaino A, Suárez-Alba J, Valdés-Véliz R, Bergado G, González MA, Hernandez T, Alvarez-Arzola R, Ramírez-Suárez AC, Casillas-Casanova D, Lemos-Pérez G, Blanco-Águila OR, Díaz A, González Y, Bequet-Romero M, Marín-Prida J, Hernández-Perera JC, Del Rosario-Cruz L, Marin-Díaz AP, González-Bravo M, Borrajero I, Acosta-Rivero N. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples, revealing cellular targets involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Arch Virol 2023; 168:96. [PMID: 36842152 PMCID: PMC9968404 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05711-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host interactions involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, which might contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples of patients who died with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its relationship with host factors involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, using microscopy-based methods. The cases analyzed showed advanced stages of diffuse acute alveolar damage and fibrosis. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (NC) in a variety of cells, colocalizing with mitochondrial proteins, lipid droplets (LDs), and key host proteins that have been implicated in inflammation, tissue repair, and the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle (vimentin, NLRP3, fibronectin, LC3B, DDX3X, and PPARγ), pointing to vimentin and LDs as platforms involved not only in the viral life cycle but also in inflammation and pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient´s nasal swab was grown in cell culture and used to infect hamsters. Target cells identified in human tissue samples included lung epithelial and endothelial cells; lipogenic fibroblast-like cells (FLCs) showing features of lipofibroblasts such as activated PPARγ signaling and LDs; lung FLCs expressing fibronectin and vimentin and macrophages, both with evidence of NLRP3- and IL1β-induced responses; regulatory cells expressing immune-checkpoint proteins involved in lung repair responses and contributing to inflammatory responses in the lung; CD34+ liver endothelial cells and hepatocytes expressing vimentin; renal interstitial cells; and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may directly interfere with critical lung, renal, and liver functions involved in COVID-19-pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Falcón-Cama
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba. .,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba.
| | | | - Emilio F Acosta-Medina
- Center for Advanced Studies of Cuba, Havana, Cuba. .,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Gerardo Guillen-Nieto
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba.,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Jorge Berlanga-Acosta
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba.,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Celia Fernández-Ortega
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba.,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Nathalie Gilva-Rodríguez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Lilianne López-Nocedo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Daina Cremata-García
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Mariuska Matos-Terrero
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Giselle Pentón-Rol
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba.,Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Iris Valdés
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Leonardo Oramas-Díaz
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Anamarys Suarez-Batista
- Department of Virology, Civilian Defense Scientific Research Center (CICDC), Havana, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Enrique Noa-Romero
- Department of Virology, Civilian Defense Scientific Research Center (CICDC), Havana, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Otto Cruz-Sui
- Department of Virology, Civilian Defense Scientific Research Center (CICDC), Havana, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - José Suárez-Alba
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Rodolfo Valdés-Véliz
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Gretchen Bergado
- Direction of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Miguel A González
- Direction of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Tays Hernandez
- Direction of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Rydell Alvarez-Arzola
- Direction of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Anna C Ramírez-Suárez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Dionne Casillas-Casanova
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Gilda Lemos-Pérez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Ave 31 be/ 158 and 190, Cubanacán, Playa, PO Box 6162, 10699, Havana, Cuba
| | - Javier Marín-Prida
- Center for Research and Biological Evaluations, Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Alina P Marin-Díaz
- International Orthopedic Scientific Complex 'Frank Pais Garcia', Havana, Cuba
| | - Maritza González-Bravo
- Latin American School of Medicine, Calle Panamericana Km 3 1/2, Playa, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Nelson Acosta-Rivero
- Center for Protein Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Habana, Calle 25 entre J e I, #455, Plaza de la Revolucion, 10400, Havana, Cuba. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (CIID), Molecular Virology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, INF 344, GO.1, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Dillard JA, Martinez SA, Dearing JJ, Montgomery SA, Baxter AK. Animal Models for the Study of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Respiratory Disease and Pathology. Comp Med 2023; 73:72-90. [PMID: 36229170 PMCID: PMC9948904 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Emergence of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a historic pandemic, with millions of deaths worldwide. An unprecedented effort has been made by the medical, scientific, and public health communities to rapidly develop and implement vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and reduce hospitalizations and deaths. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to disease in many organ systems, the respiratory system is its main target, with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome as the hallmark features of severe disease. The large number of patients who have contracted COVID-19 infections since 2019 has permitted a detailed characterization of the clinical and pathologic features of the disease in humans. However, continued progress in the development of effective preventatives and therapies requires a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of infection. Studies using animal models are necessary to complement in vitro findings and human clinical data. Multiple animal species have been evaluated as potential models for studying the respiratory disease caused by SARSCoV-2 infection. Knowing the similarities and differences between animal and human responses to infection is critical for effective translation of animal data into human medicine. This review provides a detailed summary of the respiratory disease and associated pathology induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and compares them with the disease that develops in 3 commonly used models: NHP, hamsters, and mice. The effective use of animals to study SARS-CoV-2-induced respiratory disease will enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, allow the development of novel preventatives and therapeutics, and aid in the preparation for the next emerging virus with pandemic potential.
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Key Words
- ace2, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- agm, african green monkey
- ali, acute lung injury
- ards, acute respiratory distress syndrome
- balf, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
- cards, covid-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome
- dad, diffuse alveolar damage
- dpi, days postinfection
- ggo, ground glass opacities
- s, spike glycoprotein
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Dillard
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Sabian A Martinez
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Justin J Dearing
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Office of Graduate Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephanie A Montgomery
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andvictoria K Baxter
- Division of Comparative Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina;,
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11
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Goudswaard LJ, Williams CM, Khalil J, Burley KL, Hamilton F, Arnold D, Milne A, Lewis PA, Heesom KJ, Mundell SJ, Davidson AD, Poole AW, Hers I. Alterations in platelet proteome signature and impaired platelet integrin α IIbβ 3 activation in patients with COVID-19. J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:1307-1321. [PMID: 36716966 PMCID: PMC9883069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of thrombosis, which is associated with altered platelet function and coagulopathy, contributing to excess mortality. OBJECTIVES To characterize the mechanism of altered platelet function in COVID-19 patients. METHODS The platelet proteome, platelet functional responses, and platelet-neutrophil aggregates were compared between patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and healthy control subjects using tandem mass tag proteomic analysis, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS COVID-19 patients showed a different profile of platelet protein expression (858 altered of the 5773 quantified). Levels of COVID-19 plasma markers were enhanced in the platelets of COVID-19 patients. Gene ontology pathway analysis demonstrated that the levels of granule secretory proteins were raised, whereas those of platelet activation proteins, such as the thrombopoietin receptor and protein kinase Cα, were lowered. Basally, platelets of COVID-19 patients showed enhanced phosphatidylserine exposure, with unaltered integrin αIIbβ3 activation and P-selectin expression. Agonist-stimulated integrin αIIbβ3 activation and phosphatidylserine exposure, but not P-selectin expression, were decreased in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients had high levels of platelet-neutrophil aggregates, even under basal conditions, compared to controls. This association was disrupted by blocking P-selectin, demonstrating that platelet P-selectin is critical for the interaction. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data suggest the presence of 2 platelet populations in patients with COVID-19: one of circulating platelets with an altered proteome and reduced functional responses and another of P-selectin-expressing neutrophil-associated platelets. Platelet-driven thromboinflammation may therefore be one of the key factors enhancing the risk of thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J Goudswaard
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK; Population Health Sciences, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK. https://twitter.com/lucygoudswaard
| | - Christopher M Williams
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jawad Khalil
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kate L Burley
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Fergus Hamilton
- Population Health Sciences, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Department of Infection Sciences, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - David Arnold
- Academic Respiratory Unit, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Alice Milne
- Academic Respiratory Unit, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK
| | - Phil A Lewis
- Proteomics Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kate J Heesom
- Proteomics Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Stuart J Mundell
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Andrew D Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Alastair W Poole
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Ingeborg Hers
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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12
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HIF-1α-Dependent Metabolic Reprogramming, Oxidative Stress, and Bioenergetic Dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Hamsters. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010558. [PMID: 36614003 PMCID: PMC9820273 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation, and oxygen homeostasis is not well defined. Here, we show that the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) transcriptional pathway is activated, perhaps due to a lack of oxygen or an accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the lungs of adult Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. Prominent nuclear localization of HIF-1α and increased expression of HIF-1α target proteins, including glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK1), were observed in areas of lung consolidation filled with infiltrating monocytes/macrophages. Upregulation of these HIF-1α target proteins was accompanied by a rise in glycolysis as measured by extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in lung homogenates. A concomitant reduction in mitochondrial respiration was also observed as indicated by a partial loss of oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in isolated mitochondrial fractions of SARS-CoV-2-infected hamster lungs. Proteomic analysis further revealed specific deficits in the mitochondrial ATP synthase (Atp5a1) within complex V and in the ATP/ADP translocase (Slc25a4). The activation of HIF-1α in inflammatory macrophages may also drive proinflammatory cytokine production and complement activation and oxidative stress in infected lungs. Together, these findings support a role for HIF-1α as a central mediator of the metabolic reprogramming, inflammation, and bioenergetic dysfunction associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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13
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Liu Q, Miao H, Li S, Zhang P, Gerber GF, Follmann D, Ji H, Zeger SL, Chertow DS, Quinn TC, Robinson ML, Kickler TS, Rothman RE, Fenstermacher KZJ, Braunstein EM, Cox AL, Farci P, Fauci AS, Lusso P. Anti-PF4 antibodies associated with disease severity in COVID-19. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2213361119. [PMID: 36322776 PMCID: PMC9704720 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213361119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 is characterized by a prothrombotic state associated with thrombocytopenia, with microvascular thrombosis being almost invariably present in the lung and other organs at postmortem examination. We evaluated the presence of antibodies to platelet factor 4 (PF4)-polyanion complexes using a clinically validated immunoassay in 100 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with moderate or severe disease (World Health Organization score, 4 to 10), 25 patients with acute COVID-19 visiting the emergency department, and 65 convalescent individuals. Anti-PF4 antibodies were detected in 95 of 100 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (95.0%) irrespective of prior heparin treatment, with a mean optical density value of 0.871 ± 0.405 SD (range, 0.177 to 2.706). In contrast, patients hospitalized for severe acute respiratory disease unrelated to COVID-19 had markedly lower levels of the antibodies. In a high proportion of patients with COVID-19, levels of all three immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes tested (IgG, IgM, and IgA) were simultaneously elevated. Antibody levels were higher in male than in female patients and higher in African Americans and Hispanics than in White patients. Anti-PF4 antibody levels were correlated with the maximum disease severity score and with significant reductions in circulating platelet counts during hospitalization. In individuals convalescent from COVID-19, the antibody levels returned to near-normal values. Sera from patients with COVID-19 induced higher levels of platelet activation than did sera from healthy blood donors, but the results were not correlated with the levels of anti-PF4 antibodies. These results demonstrate that the vast majority of patients with severe COVID-19 develop anti-PF4 antibodies, which may play a role in the clinical complications of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbo Liu
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Huiyi Miao
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Peng Zhang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Gloria F. Gerber
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Dean Follmann
- Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Scott L. Zeger
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Daniel S. Chertow
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
- Emerging Pathogens Section, Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Thomas C. Quinn
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Matthew L. Robinson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Thomas S. Kickler
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Richard E. Rothman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | | | - Evan M. Braunstein
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Patrizia Farci
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Anthony S. Fauci
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Paolo Lusso
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
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14
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Maio N, Cherry S, Schultz DC, Hurst BL, Linehan WM, Rouault TA. TEMPOL inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and development of lung disease in the Syrian hamster model. iScience 2022; 25:105074. [PMID: 36093377 PMCID: PMC9444323 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide outbreak, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Alongside vaccines, antiviral therapeutics is an important part of the healthcare response to COVID-19. We previously reported that TEMPOL, a small molecule stable nitroxide, inactivated the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2 by causing the oxidative degradation of its iron-sulfur cofactors. Here, we demonstrate that TEMPOL is effective in vivo in inhibiting viral replication in the Syrian hamster model. The inhibitory effect of TEMPOL on SARS-CoV-2 replication was observed in animals when the drug was administered 2 h before infection in a high-risk exposure model. These data support the potential application of TEMPOL as a highly efficacious antiviral against SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. TEMPOL’s IC90 in human lung epithelial Calu-3 cells is 2.89 μM and CC50 > 10 mM TEMPOL has potent antiviral activity against highly pathogenic SARS- and MERS-Co-Vs TEMPOL inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and lung pathology in the Syrian hamster Fe-S cofactor insertion can be targeted to interfere with coronavirus replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunziata Maio
- Molecular Medicine Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chemogenomic Discovery Program. University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David C Schultz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, High-throughput Screening Core, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brett L Hurst
- Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - W Marston Linehan
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tracey A Rouault
- Molecular Medicine Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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15
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Içten S, Ergen P, Aydin Ö, Inal FY, Koruk S, Pamukcu MN, Eken E, Uzunlulu M, Koçoğlu H, Arslan F, Vahaboglu H. The Outcome of High-Dose Corticosteroid Treatment Among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000001152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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16
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Filograna L, Manenti G, Grassi S, Zedda M, Cazzato F, Ryan CP, Arena V, Pascali VL, Colosimo C, Floris R, Oliva A. Virtual autopsy in SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection: a case report. FORENSIC IMAGING 2022. [PMCID: PMC9433066 DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2022.200520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
It is well documented that COVID-19 vaccines are effective tools for limiting the pandemic. Unfortunately, as is true for all vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated individuals is still possible. We present an autopsy case of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination (“breakthrough infection”) in an elderly man with several comorbidities where post-mortem CT scan was performed. The death was histologically attributed to cardio-respiratory arrest due to ischemic heart failure related to superinfected COVID-19 pneumonia and pre-existing comorbidities. For the first time in the literature, PMCT imaging related to a fatal, autopsy case of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection is reported. PMCT of the lungs, in accordance with histopathological results, showed few signs of COVID-19 pneumonia, large area of consolidation in the right lower lobe, interpreted as bronco-pneumonic focus, and hypostasis. These findings were well-correlated with the previously reported literature about both PMCT and clinical CT imaging of the lungs in non-vaccinated individuals with early COVID-19 pneumonia and about pulmonary clinical CT imaging in COVID-19 pneumonia in breakthrough SARS-COV-2 infections. Further studies are needed to cover the whole spectrum of PMCT lung imaging in fatal breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, this case represent a first step for exploring this difficult challenge during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic using virtual autopsy.
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17
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Dülger SU, Mutlu N, Ceylan İ, Özhan E. The relationship between lung fibrosis, the epidermal growth factor receptor, and disease outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia: a postmortem evaluation. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00872-7. [PMID: 35986823 PMCID: PMC9392062 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00872-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the severity of fibrosis in lung tissue and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) positivity in patients who died due to COVID-19 pneumonia, demographic characteristics, comorbidities, biochemical values, and treatments received. Fifty patients who died from COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. Demographic data for the patients, laboratory tests, thorax computerized tomography findings, comorbidities, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation times, and treatments given were noted. Postmortem Tru-cut lung biopsy was performed. EGFR positivity was examined and grouped as negative, mild, moderate, and severe. Data were analyzed statistically. EGFR involvement was negative in 11 (22%), mild in 20 (40%), moderate in 13 (26%), and severe in 6 (12%) patients. The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) values, D-dimer values, and mean length of stay in the ICU were found to be significantly different between the groups (p = 0.024; p = 0.003; p = 0.016, respectively). Methylprednisolone dose and the presence of comorbidity did not differ significantly in EGFR involvement (p = 0.79; p = 0.98, respectively). CRP and D-dimer values can be used as a guide to assess the severity of pulmonary fibrosis that develops in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients. The dose of methylprednisolone used does not make a significant difference in the severity of fibrosis.Trail registration: Clinical Trials.gov identifier date and number 01/13/2022 NCT05290441.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Us Dülger
- Pulmonary Diseases Department, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Education and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey.
| | - Nazmi Mutlu
- Pathology Department, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Education and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - İlkay Ceylan
- Anesthesia and Reanimation Department, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Education and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Erhan Özhan
- Radiology Department, Health Sciences University Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Education and Research Hospital, Bursa, Turkey
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18
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Galeano Reyes SA, Dhimes Tejeda P, Steen B, Arcos Orozco HK, Ramos Pontón P. Cytopathological Findings in Bronchoalveolar Lavage from Patients with COVID-19. Acta Cytol 2022; 66:532-541. [PMID: 35732159 PMCID: PMC9393766 DOI: 10.1159/000525339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Information on cellular analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with COVID-19 is limited. Some studies have described an increase in lymphocyte percentage or exuberant plasmacytosis. Some reports addressed the importance of molecular testing on BAL samples to confirm COVID-19 pneumonia, in clinically highly suspected patients with consecutive negative nasopharyngeal swab results. In addition to atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, morphologic findings of atypical lymphocytes in BAL were also reported in a few patients. The objective of this study was to describe the cytopathic characteristics identified, any data presented here are descriptives and intended to trigger further research. Three general aspects have been evaluated in each sample: reactive changes, virus-related pathological changes, and differential leukocyte count. Seventeen samples were collected. All samples were negative for malignancy, with an inflammatory background, predominantly lymphohistiocytic in 5 samples, histiocytic in 9, and 3 with predominantly neutrophilic. Hemosiderin-laden macrophages were observed in 12/17. Nonspecific reactive cell changes were identified in 4 samples, including bronchial, alveolar, and reserve cell hyperplasia. Virus-related pathological changes were observed in 14 samples, such as loss of nuclear chromatin pattern, lymphocytes with atypical nuclei, nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions, multinucleations in bronchial cells and macrophages, or multinucleated giant cells. The identification of multinucleated giant cells could represent a cytopathic effect induced by the virus, at the same time the nuclear clearance of pneumocytes as a possible direct effect. BAL is a procedure aimed at obtaining cells from the respiratory tract that can provide valuable and rapid information. It is important to collect and describe as many cytopathological findings as possible, which can provide relevant information for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bárbara Steen
- Department of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Paloma Ramos Pontón
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
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19
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Fogante M, Cavagna E, Rinaldi G. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Coronary arteries and aortic valve calcifications in COVID-19. Emerg Radiol 2022; 29:623. [PMID: 35066659 PMCID: PMC8783786 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-021-02011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fogante
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", Ancona, Italy.
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20
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Nadal A, Garrido-Pontnou M, Navarro A, Camacho J, Ferreres JC. Authors' response to "Response to Diffuse Trophoblast Damage is the Hallmark of SARS-CoV-2-associated fetal demise". Mod Pathol 2022; 35:852-853. [PMID: 35322194 PMCID: PMC8941829 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-022-01064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfons Nadal
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marta Garrido-Pontnou
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexandra Navarro
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jessica Camacho
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Ferreres
- Pathology Department. Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari. Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain,Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain
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21
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Brubaker LS, Saini A, Nguyen TC, Martinez-Vargas M, Lam FW, Yao Q, Loor MM, Rosengart TK, Cruz MA. Aberrant Fibrin Clot Structure Visualized Ex Vivo in Critically Ill Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. Crit Care Med 2022; 50:e557-e568. [PMID: 35170535 PMCID: PMC9112654 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000005465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disseminated fibrin-rich microthrombi have been reported in patients who died from COVID-19. Our objective is to determine whether the fibrin clot structure and function differ between critically ill patients with or without COVID-19 and to correlate the structure with clinical coagulation biomarkers. DESIGN A cross-sectional observational study. Platelet poor plasma was used to analyze fibrin clot structure; the functional implications were determined by quantifying clot turbidity and porosity. SETTING ICU at an academic medical center and an academic laboratory. PATIENTS Patients admitted from July 1 to August 1, 2020, to the ICU with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Blood was collected from 36 patients including 26 ICU patients with COVID-19 and 10 ICU patients with sepsis but without COVID-19 at a median of 11 days after ICU admission (interquartile range, 3-16). The cohorts were similar in age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and mortality. More patients with COVID-19 (100% vs 70%; p = 0.003) required anticoagulation. Ex vivo fibrin clots formed from patients with COVID-19 appeared to be denser and to have smaller pores than those from patients with sepsis but without COVID-19 (percent area of fluorescent fibrin 48.1% [SD, 16%] vs 24.9% [SD, 18.8%]; p = 0.049). The turbidity and flow-through assays corroborated these data; fibrin clots had a higher maximum turbidity in patients with COVID-19 compared with patients without COVID-19 (0.168 vs 0.089 OD units; p = 0.003), and it took longer for buffer to flow through these clots (216 vs 103 min; p = 0.003). In patients with COVID-19, d-dimer levels were positively correlated with percent area of fluorescent fibrin (ρ = 0.714, p = 0.047). Denser clots (assessed by turbidity and thromboelastography) and higher SOFA scores were independently associated with delayed clot lysis. CONCLUSIONS We found aberrant fibrin clot structure and function in critically ill patients with COVID-19. These findings may contribute to the poor outcomes observed in COVID-19 patients with widespread fibrin deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Brubaker
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
| | - Arun Saini
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Trung C Nguyen
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Marina Martinez-Vargas
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Fong W Lam
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Qizhi Yao
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
| | - Michele M Loor
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Todd K Rosengart
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Miguel A Cruz
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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22
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Brumeanu TD, Vir P, Karim AF, Kar S, Benetiene D, Lok M, Greenhouse J, Putmon-Taylor T, Kitajewski C, Chung KK, Pratt KP, Casares SA. Human-Immune-System (HIS) humanized mouse model (DRAGA: HLA-A2.HLA-DR4.Rag1KO.IL-2RγcKO.NOD) for COVID-19. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2048622. [PMID: 35348437 PMCID: PMC9225593 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2048622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a Human Immune System (HIS)-humanized mouse model ("DRAGA": HLA-A2.HLA-DR4.Rag1KO.IL-2 RγcKO.NOD) for COVID-19 research. DRAGA mice express transgenically HLA-class I and class-II molecules in the mouse thymus to promote human T cell development and human B cell Ig-class switching. When infused with human hematopoietic stem cells from cord blood reconstitute a functional human immune system, as well as human epi/endothelial cells in lung and upper respiratory airways expressing the human ACE2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2. The DRAGA mice were able to sustain SARS-CoV-2 infection for at least 25 days. Infected mice showed replicating virus in the lungs, deteriorating clinical condition, and human-like lung immunopathology including human lymphocyte infiltrates, microthrombi and pulmonary sequelae. Among the intra-alveolar and peri-bronchiolar lymphocyte infiltrates, human lung-resident (CD103+) CD8+ and CD4+ T cells were sequestered in epithelial (CD326+) lung niches and secreted granzyme B and perforin, suggesting anti-viral cytotoxic activity. Infected mice also mounted human IgG antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. Hence, HIS-DRAGA mice showed unique advantages as a surrogate in vivo human model for studying SARS-CoV-2 immunopathological mechanisms and testing the safety and efficacy of candidate vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodor-D Brumeanu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pooja Vir
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ahmad Faisal Karim
- Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sofia A Casares
- Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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23
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Ultrastructural examination of lung "cryobiopsies" from a series of fatal COVID-19 cases hardly revealed infected cells. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:967-977. [PMID: 35294603 PMCID: PMC8924574 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03308-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Ultrastructural analysis of autopsy samples from COVID-19 patients usually suffers from significant structural impairment possibly caused by the rather long latency between death of the patient and an appropriate sample fixation. To improve structural preservation of the tissue, we obtained samples from ventilated patients using a trans-bronchial “cryobiopsy” within 30 min after their death and fixed them immediately for electron microscopy. Samples of six COVID-19 patients with a documented histopathology were systematically investigated by thin section electron microscopy. The different samples and areas inspected revealed the ultrastructural correlates of the different phases of diffuse alveolar damage, including detachment of the alveolar epithelium, hyperplasia of type 2 cells, exudates, and accumulation of extracellular material, such as the hyaline membranes and fibrin. Macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes were regularly detected. Structural integrity of endothelium was intact in regions where the alveolar epithelium was already detached. Aggregates of erythrocytes, leukocytes with fibrin, and thrombocytes were not observed. Coronavirus particles were only found in and around very few cells in one of the six patient samples. The type and origin of these cells could not be assessed although the overall structural preservation of the samples allowed the identification of pulmonary cell types. Hence, the observed alveolar damage is not associated with virus presence or structural impairment due to ongoing replication at later stages of the disease in fatal cases, which implies that the lung damage in these patients is at least propagated by alternative mechanisms, perhaps, an inappropriate immune or stress response.
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24
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Iwabuchi S, Miyamoto K, Hatai M, Mikasa Y, Katsuda M, Murata SI, Kondo T, Yamaue H, Hashimoto S. Immune Cells Profiles in the Different Sites of COVID-19-Affected Lung Lobes in a Single Patient. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:841170. [PMID: 35252273 PMCID: PMC8888686 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.841170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas the COVID-19 disease pathophysiology is under investigation, it is important to identify the pathways of viral transmission and inflammation from the pre-illness to the disease-onset stages. We analyzed five lung lobes from a patient with COVID-19 who finally died after prolonged lung protective ventilation. Pathological examination revealed moderate inflammation in upper lung lobes and uneven yet severe inflammation and diffuse alveolar damage in lower lung lobes. SARS-CoV-2 was detected at higher levels not in severely, but rather moderately inflamed middle lung lobes, and immunohistochemistry and bulk RNA-sequencing results showed that immune cells were detected at higher levels in lower lung lobes. The mRNA expression of cytokine families varied. We found an increase in keratin 5- or aquaporin 3-expressing basal cells in the severely inflamed lower lung lobes, and the alveolar stromal tissues were filled with them. Thus, this analysis of lung samples from a patient helps to determine the COVID-19 pathophysiology at a specific time point, and the virus localization and inflammatory responses at each site of the lungs provide various important indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadahiro Iwabuchi
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Kyohei Miyamoto
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Mayuko Hatai
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Yurina Mikasa
- Departments of Human Pathology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Katsuda
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Murata
- Departments of Human Pathology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Kondo
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamaue
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Shinichi Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
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25
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Menezes RG, Rizwan T, Saad Ali S, Hassan W, Khetpal A, Aqil M, Madadin M, Jamal Siddiqi T, Shariq Usman M. Postmortem findings in COVID-19 fatalities: A systematic review of current evidence. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 54:102001. [PMID: 34952452 PMCID: PMC8648585 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.102001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Almost 17 months after the first COVID-19 case was reported, the exact pathogenesis of the virus is still open to interpretation. Postmortem studies have been relatively scarce due to the high infectivity rate of the virus. We systematically reviewed the literature available for studies that reported gross, histological, microscopic, and immunohistochemical findings in COVID-19 fatalities with the aim of reporting any recurrent findings among different demographics. PubMed and Scopus were searched up till the second of May 2021 and 46 studies with a total of 793 patients were shortlisted after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected studies reported gross, histological, microscopic, and immunohistochemical autopsy findings in the lungs, heart, liver, gallbladder, bowels, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, CNS, pancreas, endocrine/exocrine glands, and a few other miscellaneous locations. The SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in multiple organs and so was the presence of widespread microthrombi. This finding suggests that the pathogenesis of this highly infectious virus might be linked to some form of coagulopathy. Further studies should focus on analyzing postmortem findings in a larger number of patients from different demographics in order to obtain more generalizable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh G Menezes
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Tehlil Rizwan
- Department of Medicine, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Syed Saad Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Wardah Hassan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Akash Khetpal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Aqil
- Deanship of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Madadin
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tariq Jamal Siddiqi
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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26
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Oumarou Hama H, Aboudharam G, Barbieri R, Lepidi H, Drancourt M. Immunohistochemical diagnosis of human infectious diseases: a review. Diagn Pathol 2022; 17:17. [PMID: 35094696 PMCID: PMC8801197 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-022-01197-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is a useful diagnostic method for detecting pathogen antigens in fixed tissues, complementing the direct diagnosis of infectious diseases by PCR and culture on fresh tissues. It was first implemented in a seminal publication by Albert Coons in 1941. MAIN BODY Of 14,198 publications retrieved from the PubMed, Google, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases up to December 2021, 230 were selected for a review of IHC techniques, protocols and results. The methodological evolutions of IHC and its application to the diagnosis of infectious diseases, more specifically lice-borne diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and skin infections, were critically examined. A total of 59 different pathogens have been detected once in 22 different tissues and organs; and yet non-cultured, fastidious and intracellular pathogens accounted for the vast majority of pathogens detected by IHC. Auto-IHC, incorporating patient serum as the primary antibody, applied to diseased heart valves surgically collected from blood culture-negative endocarditis patients, detected unidentified Gram-positive cocci and microorganisms which were subsequently identified as Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella quintana, Bartonella henselae and Tropheryma whipplei. The application of IHC to ancient tissues dated between the ends of the Ptolemaic period to over 70 years ago, have also contributed to paleomicrobiology diagnoses. CONCLUSION IHC plays an important role in diagnostic of infectious diseases in tissue samples. Paleo-auto-IHC derived from auto-IHC, is under development for detecting non-identified pathogens from ancient specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamadou Oumarou Hama
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Gérard Aboudharam
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., Ecole de Médecine Dentaire, Marseille, France
| | - Rémi Barbieri
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Hubert Lepidi
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d'Histologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
| | - Michel Drancourt
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
- Aix-Marseille-Univ., IRD, MEPHI, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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27
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Fogante M, Cavagna E, Rinaldi G. REMOVED: Correlation between COVID-19 and cardiac calcification. J Med Imaging Radiat Sci 2022:S1939-8654(22)00003-0. [PMID: 35131217 PMCID: PMC8761559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Publisher regrets that this article has been temporarily removed. A replacement will appear as soon as possible in which the reason for the removal of the article will be specified, or the article will be reinstated. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fogante
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti" Ancona.
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28
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Findings and inferences from full autopsies, minimally invasive autopsies and biopsy studies in patients who died as a result of COVID19 - A systematic review. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2022; 18:369-381. [PMID: 35817946 PMCID: PMC9273702 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-022-00494-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many articles on COVID19 deaths have been published since the pandemic has occurred. On reviewing the articles published until June 2021, the findings were very heterogeneous. Adding to the existing knowledge, there were also some unique observations made in the pathogenesis of COVID19. This review was done to determine the findings obtained and inferences drawn from various studies published globally among patients who died due to COVID19. PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct this systematic review. A search of databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect and Epistemonikos was done. The articles focusing on postmortem sample studies involving full autopsies, minimally invasive autopsies and tissue biopsy studies were screened and searched. The studies included were all the case reports, case series, narrative reviews and systematic reviews obtained in full text and in the English language containing study information, and samples obtained postmortem. The information obtained was tabulated using Microsoft excel sheets. The duplicates were removed at the beginning of the tabulation. Zotero referencing software was used for article sorting and citation and bibliography. Two authors independently reviewed the articles throughout the process to prevent bias. Adding to the heterogeneity of COVID19, the concept of lethality in preexisting disease conditions, the occurrence of secondary bacterial and fungal infections, and other pathogenetic mechanisms uniquely encountered are to be considered in treating the patients. Also, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 postmortem is established and should be considered a hazard.
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29
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Milross L, Majo J, Cooper N, Kaye PM, Bayraktar O, Filby A, Fisher AJ. Post-mortem lung tissue: the fossil record of the pathophysiology and immunopathology of severe COVID-19. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2022; 10:95-106. [PMID: 34871544 PMCID: PMC8641959 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(21)00408-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The lungs are the main site that is affected in severe COVID-19, and post-mortem lung tissue provides crucial insights into the pathophysiology of severe disease. From basic histology to state-of-the-art multiparameter digital pathology technologies, post-mortem lung tissue provides snapshots of tissue architecture, and resident and inflammatory cell phenotypes and composition at the time of death. Contrary to early assumptions that COVID-19 in the lungs is a uniform disease, post-mortem findings have established a high degree of disease heterogeneity. Classic diffuse alveolar damage represents just one phenotype, with disease divisible by early and late progression as well as by pathophysiological process. A distinct lung tissue state occurs with secondary infection; extrapulmonary causes of death might also originate from a pathological process in the lungs linked to microthrombosis. This heterogeneity of COVID-19 lung disease must be recognised in the management of patients and in the development of novel treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Milross
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Joaquim Majo
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nigel Cooper
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul M Kaye
- York Biomedical Research Institute, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Omer Bayraktar
- Cellular Genetics Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Filby
- Innovation Methodology and Application Research Theme, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew J Fisher
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Institute of Transplantation, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Lonardi S, Bugatti M, Valzelli A, Facchetti F. Immunohistochemical Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens by Single and Multiple Immunohistochemistry. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2452:291-303. [PMID: 35554913 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2111-0_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can be demonstrated in tissue sections by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which has the power to localize in bright field specific antigens in cells and tissues. The use of double or triple immunostains is capable of highlighting which cells are infected and/or the relationship of infected cell with other cells and tissue structures. In addition, immunoenzymatic multi-staining permits the simultaneous identification, localization, and enumeration of different cellular epitopes. Moreover, this method improves analytical precision, decreasing the time required for morphometric quantification, maximizing the information obtained from a single slide of paraffin-embedded tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Lonardi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Arianna Valzelli
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Section of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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Odilov A, Volkov A, Abdullaev A, Gasanova T, Lipina T, Babichenko I. COVID-19: Multiorgan Dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 Is Driven by Pulmonary Factors. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010039. [PMID: 35062243 PMCID: PMC8777766 DOI: 10.3390/v14010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-organ failure is one of the common causes of fatal outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, the pathogenetic association of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load (VL) level with fatal dysfunctions of the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, spleen and brain, as well as with the risk of death in COVID-19 patients remains poorly understood. SARS-CoV-2 VL in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, brain, spleen and lymph nodes have been measured by RT qPCR using the following formula: NSARS-CoV-2/NABL1 × 100. Dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in 30.5% of cases was mono-organ, and in 63.9% of cases, it was multi-organ. The average SARS-CoV-2 VL in the exudative phase of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was 60 times higher than in the proliferative phase. The SARS-CoV-2 VL in the lungs ranged from 0 to 250,281 copies. The "pulmonary factors" of SARS-CoV-2 multi-organ dissemination are the high level of SARS-CoV-2 VL (≥4909) and the exudative phase of DAD. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 dissemination to lymph nodes was 86.9%, heart-56.5%, spleen-52.2%, liver-47.8%, kidney-26%, and brain-13%. We found no link between the SARS-CoV-2 VL level in the liver, kidneys, and heart and the serum level of CPK, LDH, ALP, ALT, AST and Cr of COVID-19 patients. Isolated detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of COVID-19 patients who died from heart failure is possible. The pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated multi-organ failure requires further research in a larger cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akmaljon Odilov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexey Volkov
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Municipal Clinical Hospital Named after E.O. Mukhin, Moscow 111399, Russia
| | - Adhamjon Abdullaev
- Laboratory of Molecular Hematology, National Research Center for Hematology, Novy Zykovski lane 4a, Moscow 125167, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Gasanova
- Department of Virology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gori, 1, 40, Moscow 119234, Russia;
| | - Tatiana Lipina
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie gori, 1, 12, Moscow 119234, Russia;
| | - Igor Babichenko
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Peoples′ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow 117198, Russia; (A.V.); (I.B.)
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D’Agnillo F, Walters KA, Xiao Y, Sheng ZM, Scherler K, Park J, Gygli S, Rosas LA, Sadtler K, Kalish H, Blatti CA, Zhu R, Gatzke L, Bushell C, Memoli MJ, O’Day SJ, Fischer TD, Hammond TC, Lee RC, Cash JC, Powers ME, O’Keefe GE, Butnor KJ, Rapkiewicz AV, Travis WD, Layne SP, Kash JC, Taubenberger JK. Lung epithelial and endothelial damage, loss of tissue repair, inhibition of fibrinolysis, and cellular senescence in fatal COVID-19. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabj7790. [PMID: 34648357 PMCID: PMC11000440 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj7790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is characterized by respiratory distress, multiorgan dysfunction, and, in some cases, death. The pathological mechanisms underlying COVID-19 respiratory distress and the interplay with aggravating risk factors have not been fully defined. Lung autopsy samples from 18 patients with fatal COVID-19, with symptom onset-to-death times ranging from 3 to 47 days, and antemortem plasma samples from 6 of these cases were evaluated using deep sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, multiplex plasma protein measurements, and pulmonary gene expression and imaging analyses. Prominent histopathological features in this case series included progressive diffuse alveolar damage with excessive thrombosis and late-onset pulmonary tissue and vascular remodeling. Acute damage at the alveolar-capillary barrier was characterized by the loss of surfactant protein expression with injury to alveolar epithelial cells, endothelial cells, respiratory epithelial basal cells, and defective tissue repair processes. Other key findings included impaired clot fibrinolysis with increased concentrations of plasma and lung plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and modulation of cellular senescence markers, including p21 and sirtuin-1, in both lung epithelial and endothelial cells. Together, these findings further define the molecular pathological features underlying the pulmonary response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and provide important insights into signaling pathways that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice D’Agnillo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | - Yongli Xiao
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zong-Mei Sheng
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Jaekeun Park
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Gygli
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Luz Angela Rosas
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Sadtler
- Section on Immunoengineering, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Heather Kalish
- Bioengineering and Physical Sciences Shared Resource, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charles A. Blatti
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ruoqing Zhu
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lisa Gatzke
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Colleen Bushell
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Matthew J. Memoli
- Clinical Studies Unit, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Raymond C. Lee
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - J. Christian Cash
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew E. Powers
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Grant E. O’Keefe
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly J. Butnor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Amy V. Rapkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY, USA
| | - William D. Travis
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - John C. Kash
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffery K. Taubenberger
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Analyses for the presence of SARS-CoV‑2 in the tissues of COVID-19 patients is important in order to improve our understanding of the disease pathophysiology for interpretation of diagnostic histopathological findings in autopsies, biopsies, or surgical specimens and to assess the potential for occupational infectious hazard. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this review we identified 136 published studies in PubMed's curated literature database LitCovid on SARS-CoV‑2 detection methods in tissues and evaluated them regarding sources of error, specificity, and sensitivity of the methods, taking into account our own experience. RESULTS Currently, no sufficiently specific histomorphological alterations or diagnostic features for COVID-19 are known. Therefore, three approaches for SARS-CoV‑2 detection are used: RNA, proteins/antigens, or morphological detection by electron microscopy. In the preanalytical phase, the dominant source of error is tissue quality, especially the different intervals between sample collection and processing or fixation (and its duration) and specifically the interval between death and sample collection in autopsies. However, this information is found in less than half of the studies (e.g., in only 42% of autopsy studies). Our own experience and first studies prove the significantly higher sensitivity and specificity of RNA-based detection methods compared to antigen or protein detection by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Detection by electron microscopy is time consuming and difficult to interpret. CONCLUSIONS Different methods are available for the detection of SARS-CoV‑2 in tissue. Currently, RNA detection by RT-PCR is the method of choice. However, extensive validation studies and method harmonization are not available and are absolutely necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
- Medical Clinic II (Nephrology and Immunology), University Hospital of RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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Han T, Cong H, Shen Y, Yu B. Recent advances in detection technologies for COVID-19. Talanta 2021; 233:122609. [PMID: 34215093 PMCID: PMC8196236 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory illness that was caused by the SARS-CoV-2. It spread around the world in just a few months and became a worldwide pandemic. Quick and accurate diagnosis of infected patients is very important for controlling transmission. In addition to the commonly used Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection techniques, other diagnostic techniques are also emerging endlessly. This article reviews the current diagnostic methods for COVID-19 and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. It provides an important reference for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Han
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Hailin Cong
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China; State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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High Prevalence of Pre-Existing Liver Abnormalities Identified Via Autopsies in COVID-19: Identification of a New Silent Risk Factor? Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11091703. [PMID: 34574044 PMCID: PMC8467907 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11091703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A high prevalence of hepatic pathology (in 17 of 19 cases) was reported in post-mortem (PM) examinations of COVID-19 patients, undertaken between March 2020 and February 2021 by a single autopsy pathologist in two English Coronial jurisdictions. The patients in our cohort demonstrated high levels of recognised COVID-19 risk factors, including hypertension (8/16, 50%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (8/16, 50%) and evidence of arteriopathy 6/16 (38%). Hepatic abnormalities included steatosis (12/19; 63%), moderate to severe venous congestion (5/19; 26%) and cirrhosis (4/19; 21%). A subsequent literature review indicated a significantly increased prevalence of steatosis (49%), venous congestion (34%) and cirrhosis (9.3%) in COVID-19 PM cases, compared with a pre-pandemic PM cohort (33%, 16%, and 2.6%, respectively), likely reflecting an increased mortality risk in SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with pre-existing liver disease. To corroborate this observation, we retrospectively analysed the admission liver function test (LFT) results of 276 consecutive, anonymised COVID-19 hospital patients in our centre, for whom outcome data were available. Of these patients, 236 (85.5%) had significantly reduced albumin levels at the time of admission to hospital, which was likely indicative of pre-existing chronic liver or renal disease. There was a strong correlation between patient outcome (length of hospital admission or death) and abnormal albumin at the time of hospital admission (p = 0.000012). We discuss potential mechanisms by which our observations of hepatic dysfunction are linked to a risk of COVID-19 mortality, speculating on the importance of recently identified anti-interferon antibodies.
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Vishwajeet V, Purohit A, Kumar D, Parag V, Tripathi S, Kanchan T, Kothari N, Dutt N, Elhence PA, Bhatia PK, Nag VL, Garg MK, Misra S. Evaluation of Pathological Findings of COVID-19 by Minimally Invasive Autopsies: A Single Tertiary Care Center Experience from India. J Lab Physicians 2021; 13:97-106. [PMID: 34483552 PMCID: PMC8409114 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has spread across the globe with more than 6 lakh deaths. Clinical autopsies are important to understand the pathobiology of the disease.
Materials and Methods
Autopsy techniques have been modified to be minimally invasive autopsies in all COVID-19 positive cases, and tissue biopsies were sampled from lungs, liver, and bone marrow within an hour after death. Detailed histological analysis was performed in the sampled tissues, along with immunohistochemistry. Patients’ clinical records were collected.
Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data.
Results
Of the 21 cases studied, 76.2% patients were ≥ 60 years of age, 80.9% were males, and 85.7% had co-morbidities. Histopathological analysis revealed diffuse alveolar damage (including exudative and organizing phase) in 88.9% cases. Microthrombi were seen in 44.4% cases. Additional findings include viral cytopathic changes, metaplastic change in the epithelium, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema. Liver showed centrizonal congestion with hepatocytic loss, lobular inflammation, steatosis, Kupffer cell hypertrophy, and sinusoidal neutrophilic infiltration, while significant portal infiltrate and cholestasis were absent to minimal. Bone marrow revealed hemophagocytosis in 60% cases.
Conclusion
Incorporation of minimally invasive autopsies provides an effective method to study the pathological findings in COVID-19 deaths in resource-constrained settings. Presence of pulmonary microthrombi in a significant number of cases supports the vascular events, apart from the characteristic diffuse alveolar damage, as an important pathogenic mechanism for lung injury in COVID-19 infections. Histopathological findings in the liver and bone marrow suggest indirect insult to these organs, related to circulatory and/or hyperinflammatory response to viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikarn Vishwajeet
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abhishek Purohit
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijay Parag
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Swapnil Tripathi
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Tanuj Kanchan
- Department of Forensic Medical and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Nikhil Kothari
- Department of Anaesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naveen Dutt
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Poonam Abhay Elhence
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Bhatia
- Department of Anaesthesia, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vijaya Lakshmi Nag
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Mahendra Kumar Garg
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sanjeev Misra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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Diffuse trophoblast damage is the hallmark of SARS-CoV-2-associated fetal demise. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:1704-1709. [PMID: 34006935 PMCID: PMC8130566 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00827-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Placental pathology in SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnancies seems rather unspecific. However, the identification of the placental lesions due to SARS-CoV-2 infection would be a significant advance in order to improve the management of these pregnancies and to identify the mechanisms involved in a possible vertical transmission. The pathological findings in placentas delivered from 198 SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women were investigated for the presence of lesions associated with placental SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection was investigated in placental tissues through immunohistochemistry, and positive cases were further confirmed by in situ hybridization. SARS-CoV-2 infection was also investigated by RT-PCR in 33 cases, including all the immunohistochemically positive cases. Nine cases were SARS-CoV-2-positive by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR. These placentas showed lesions characterized by villous trophoblast necrosis with intervillous space collapse and variable amounts of mixed intervillous inflammatory infiltrate and perivillous fibrinoid deposition. Such lesions ranged from focal to massively widespread in five cases, resulting in intrauterine fetal death. Two of the stillborn fetuses showed some evidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity. The remaining 189 placentas did not show similar lesions. The strong association between trophoblastic damage and placenta SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests that this lesion is a specific marker of SARS-CoV-2 infection in placenta. Diffuse trophoblastic damage, massively affecting chorionic villous tissue, can result in fetal death associated with COVID-19 disease.
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Caramaschi S, Kapp ME, Miller SE, Eisenberg R, Johnson J, Epperly G, Maiorana A, Silvestri G, Giannico GA. Histopathological findings and clinicopathologic correlation in COVID-19: a systematic review. Mod Pathol 2021; 34:1614-1633. [PMID: 34031537 PMCID: PMC8141548 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-021-00814-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had devastating effects on global health and worldwide economy. Despite an initial reluctance to perform autopsies due to concerns for aerosolization of viral particles, a large number of autopsy studies published since May 2020 have shed light on the pathophysiology of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This review summarizes the histopathologic findings and clinicopathologic correlations from autopsies and biopsies performed in patients with COVID-19. PubMed and Medline (EBSCO and Ovid) were queried from June 4, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and histopathologic data from autopsy and biopsy studies were collected based on 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 58 studies reporting 662 patients were included. Demographic data, comorbidities at presentation, histopathologic findings, and virus detection strategies by organ system were collected. Diffuse alveolar damage, thromboembolism, and nonspecific shock injury in multiple organs were the main findings in this review. The pathologic findings emerging from autopsy and biopsy studies reviewed herein suggest that in addition to a direct viral effect in some organs, a unifying pathogenic mechanism for COVID-19 is ARDS with its known and characteristic inflammatory response, cytokine release, fever, inflammation, and generalized endothelial disturbance. This study supports the notion that autopsy studies are of utmost importance to our understanding of disease features and treatment effect to increase our knowledge of COVID-19 pathophysiology and contribute to more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Caramaschi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia—AOU Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Meghan E. Kapp
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sara E. Miller
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rosana Eisenberg
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Joyce Johnson
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Antonino Maiorana
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia—AOU Policlinico of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Guido Silvestri
- Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Giovanna A. Giannico
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Severe SARS-CoV-2 Lung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168854. [PMID: 34445556 PMCID: PMC8396177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), built from mitochondrial or nuclear DNA, proteinases, and histones, entrap and eliminate pathogens in the course of bacterial or viral infections. Neutrophils’ activation and the formation of NETs have been described as major risk factors for acute lung injury, multi-organ damage, and mortality in COVID-19 disease. NETs-related lung injury involves both epithelial and endothelial cells, as well as the alveolar-capillary barrier. The markers for NETs formation, such as circulating DNA, neutrophil elastase (NE) activity, or myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes, were found in lung specimens of COVID-19 victims, as well as in sera and tracheal aspirates obtained from COVID-19 patients. DNA threads form large conglomerates causing local obstruction of the small bronchi and together with NE are responsible for overproduction of mucin by epithelial cells. Various components of NETs are involved in the pathogenesis of cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary disease. NETs are responsible for the interplay between inflammation and thrombosis in the affected lungs. The immunothrombosis, stimulated by NETs, has a poor prognostic significance. Better understanding of the role of NETs in the course of COVID-19 can help to develop novel approaches to the therapeutic interventions in this condition.
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El Jamal SM, Pujadas E, Ramos I, Bryce C, Grimes ZM, Amanat F, Tsankova NM, Mussa Z, Olson S, Salem F, Miorin L, Aydillo T, Schotsaert M, Albrecht RA, Liu WC, Marjanovic N, Francoeur N, Sebra R, Sealfon SC, García-Sastre A, Fowkes M, Cordon-Cardo C, Westra WH. Tissue-based SARS-CoV-2 detection in fatal COVID-19 infections: Sustained direct viral-induced damage is not necessary to drive disease progression. Hum Pathol 2021; 114:110-119. [PMID: 33961839 PMCID: PMC8095022 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although viral infection is known to trigger inflammatory processes contributing to tissue injury and organ failure, it is unclear whether direct viral damage is needed to sustain cellular injury. An understanding of pathogenic mechanisms has been handicapped by the absence of optimized methods to visualize the presence and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in damaged tissues. We first developed a positive control cell line (Vero E6) to validate SARS-CoV-2 detection assays. We then evaluated multiple organs (lungs, kidneys, heart, liver, brain, intestines, lymph nodes, and spleen) from fourteen COVID-19 autopsy cases using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the spike and the nucleoprotein proteins, and RNA in situ hybridization (RNA ISH) for the spike protein mRNA. Tissue detection assays were compared with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based detection. SARS-CoV-2 was histologically detected in the Vero E6 positive cell line control, 1 of 14 (7%) lungs, and none (0%) of the other 59 organs. There was perfect concordance between the IHC and RNA ISH results. qPCR confirmed high viral load in the SARS-CoV-2 ISH-positive lung tissue, and absent or low viral load in all ISH-negative tissues. In patients who die of COVID-19-related organ failure, SARS-CoV-2 is largely not detectable using tissue-based assays. Even in lungs showing widespread injury, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA or proteins were detected in only a small minority of cases. This observation supports the concept that viral infection is primarily a trigger for multiple-organ pathogenic proinflammatory responses. Direct viral tissue damage is a transient phenomenon that is generally not sustained throughout disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siraj M El Jamal
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Elisabet Pujadas
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Irene Ramos
- Department of Neurology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029 USA
| | - Clare Bryce
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zachary M Grimes
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Fatima Amanat
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Nadejda M Tsankova
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zarmeen Mussa
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sara Olson
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Fadi Salem
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Lisa Miorin
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Teresa Aydillo
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Randy A Albrecht
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Wen-Chun Liu
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Nada Marjanovic
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Nancy Francoeur
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Sema4, Stamford, CT, 10029, USA
| | - Stuart C Sealfon
- Department of Neurology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029 USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA; The Tisch Cancer Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Mary Fowkes
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Carlos Cordon-Cardo
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - William H Westra
- Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Zhang F, Li W, Feng J, Ramos da Silva S, Ju E, Zhang H, Chang Y, Moore PS, Guo H, Gao SJ. SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infectivity and expression of viral entry-related factors ACE2, TMPRSS2, Kim-1, and NRP-1 in human cells from the respiratory, urinary, digestive, reproductive, and immune systems. J Med Virol 2021; 93:6671-6685. [PMID: 34324210 PMCID: PMC8426707 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a wide spectrum of syndromes involving multiple organ systems and is primarily mediated by viral spike (S) glycoprotein through the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and numerous cellular proteins including ACE2, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1), and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). In this study, we examined the entry tropism of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV using S protein-based pseudoviruses to infect 22 cell lines and 3 types of primary cells isolated from respiratory, urinary, digestive, reproductive, and immune systems. At least one cell line or type of primary cell from each organ system was infected by both pseudoviruses. Infection by pseudoviruses is effectively blocked by S1, RBD, and ACE2 recombinant proteins, and more weakly by Kim-1 and NRP-1 recombinant proteins. Furthermore, cells with robust SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection had strong expression of either ACE2 or Kim-1 and NRP-1 proteins. ACE2 glycosylation appeared to be critical for the infections of both viruses as there was a positive correlation between infectivity of either SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV pseudovirus with the level of glycosylated ACE2 (gly-ACE2). These results reveal that SARS-CoV-2 cell entry could be mediated by either an ACE2-dependent or -independent mechanism, thus providing a likely molecular basis for its broad tropism for a wide variety of cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wan Li
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jian Feng
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Suzane Ramos da Silva
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Enguo Ju
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hu Zhang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuan Chang
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrick S Moore
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shou-Jiang Gao
- Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Hong J, Wang Q, Wu Q, Chen J, Wang X, Wang Y, Chen Y, Xia N. Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Specifically Recognizing a Linear Epitope in the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080829. [PMID: 34451954 PMCID: PMC8402368 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused more than 188 million infections and 4.06 million deaths worldwide. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been regarded as an important target for vaccine and therapeutics development because it plays a key role in binding the human cell receptor ACE2 that is required for viral entry. However, it is not easy to detect RBD in Western blot using polyclonal antibody, suggesting that RBD may form a complicated conformation under native condition and bear rare linear epitope. So far, no linear epitope on RBD is reported. Thus, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes linear epitope on RBD will become valuable. In the present study, an RBD-specific rabbit antibody named 9E1 was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of immunized rabbit by RBD-specific single B cell sorting and mapped to a highly conserved linear epitope within twelve amino acids 480CNGVEGFNCYFP491 on RBD. 9E1 works well in Western blot on S protein and immunohistochemistry on the SARS-CoV-2 infected tissue sections. The results demonstrated that 9E1 can be used as a useful tool for pathological and functional studies of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junping Hong
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Qian Wang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Qian Wu
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Junyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Xijing Wang
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
| | - Yingbin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yixin Chen
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
- Correspondence: (Y.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Ningshao Xia
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (J.H.); (Q.W.); (Q.W.); (X.W.); (N.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China;
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43
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Postmortem Cardiopulmonary Pathology in Patients with COVID-19 Infection: Single-Center Report of 12 Autopsies from Lausanne, Switzerland. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11081357. [PMID: 34441292 PMCID: PMC8393761 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11081357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We report postmortem cardio-pulmonary findings including detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue in 12 patients with COVID-19. The 5 women and 7 men (median age: 73 years; range 35–96) died 6–38 days after onset of symptoms (median: 14.5 days). Eight patients received mechanical ventilation. Ten patients showed diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), 7 as exudative and 3 as proliferative/organizing DAD. One case presented as acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia. Seven patients (58%) had acute bronchopneumonia, 1/7 without associated DAD and 1/7 with aspergillosis and necrotic bronchitis. Microthrombi were present in 5 patients, only in exudative DAD. Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR detected high virus amounts in 6 patients (50%) with exudative DAD and symptom-duration ≤14 days, supported by immunohistochemistry and in-situ RNA hybridization (RNAscope). The 6 patients with low viral copy levels were symptomatic for ≥15 days, comprising all cases with organizing DAD, the patient without DAD and one exudative DAD. We show the high prevalence of DAD as a reaction pattern in COVID-19, the high number of overlying acute bronchopneumonia, and high-level pulmonary virus detection limited to patients who died ≤2 weeks after onset of symptoms, correlating with exudative phase of DAD.
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Ray A, Jain D, Goel A, Agarwal S, Swaroop S, Das P, Arava SK, Mridha AR, Nambirajan A, Singh G, Arulselvi S, Mathur P, Kumar S, Sahni S, Nehra J, Nazneen, Bm M, Rastogi N, Mahato S, Gupta C, Bharadhan S, Dhital G, Goel P, Pandey P, Kn S, Chaudhary S, Keri VC, Chauhan VS, Mahishi N, Shahi A, R R, Gupta BK, Aggarwal R, Soni KD, Nischal N, Soneja M, Lalwani S, Sarkar C, Guleria R, Wig N, Trikha A. Clinico-pathological features in fatal COVID-19 infection: a preliminary experience of a tertiary care center in North India using postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling. Expert Rev Respir Med 2021; 15:1367-1375. [PMID: 34227439 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1951708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the histopathology of patients dying of COVID-19 using post-mortem minimally invasive sampling techniques. METHODS This was a single-center observational study conducted at JPNATC, AIIMS. Thirty-seven patients who died of COVID-19 were enrolled. Post-mortem percutaneous biopsies were taken from lung, heart, liver, kidney and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemistry was performed using CD61 and CD163. SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected using IHC with primary antibodies. RESULTS The mean age was 48.7 years and 59.5% were males. Lung histopathology showed diffuse alveolar damage in 78% patients. Associated bronchopneumonia was seen in 37.5% and scattered microthrombi in 21% patients. Immunopositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was observed in Type II pneumocytes. Acute tubular injury with epithelial vacuolization was seen in 46% of renal biopsies. Seventy-one percent of liver biopsies showed Kupffer cell hyperplasia and 27.5% showed submassive hepatic necrosis. CONCLUSIONS Predominant finding was diffuse alveolar damage with demonstration of SARS-CoV-2 protein in the acute phase. Microvascular thrombi were rarely identified in any organ. Substantial hepatocyte necrosis, Kupffer cell hypertrophy, microvesicular, and macrovesicular steatosis unrelated to microvascular thrombi suggested that liver might be a primary target of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Animesh Ray
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Deepali Jain
- Department of Pathology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Ayush Goel
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - S Arulselvi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jpnatc, Aiims, New Delhi, India
| | - Purva Mathur
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jpnatc, Aiims, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - Nazneen
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Mouna Bm
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | - S Bharadhan
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Pawan Goel
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Santosh Kn
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Anand Shahi
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Ragu R
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sanjeev Lalwani
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Molecular Laboratory, JPNATC, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Randeep Guleria
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sleep and critical care disorders, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Naveet Wig
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjan Trikha
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, JPNATC, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
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Biringer K, Sivakova J, Marcinek J, Pribulova T, Rokos T, Kozubik E, Kudela E, Plank L. Placental pathology concerning sudden foetal demise in SARS-CoV-2 positive asymptomatic pregnant female. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2021; 165:328-331. [PMID: 34282805 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2021.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Coronavirus disease 2019 is responsible for a worldwide increase in morbidity and mortality. The relationship of this infection to mother-to-child vertical transmission has not been elucidated yet. However, recent reports indicate a foetal death rate of up to 3%. METHODS We report a case of sudden pre-term foetal demise in a woman positive for SARS-CoV-2 but asymptomatic, with physiological course of pregnancy. RESULTS One of the possible explanations of sudden foetal death may be acute placental insufficiency caused by a SARS-CoV-2 placental infection or the development of foetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS). CONCLUSION Considering the potential risk of foetal demise, questions remain regarding foetal monitoring and the timing of labour and delivery in the second and third trimesters, particularly in asymptomatic or mild maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. A relevant multidisciplinary team must also be aware of these risks associated with possibly fatal consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Biringer
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Jana Sivakova
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Juraj Marcinek
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Terezia Pribulova
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomas Rokos
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Erik Kozubik
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Erik Kudela
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lukas Plank
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Corredor G, Toro P, Bera K, Rasmussen D, Viswanathan VS, Buzzy C, Fu P, Barton LM, Stroberg E, Duval E, Gilmore H, Mukhopadhyay S, Madabhushi A. Computational pathology reveals unique spatial patterns of immune response in H&E images from COVID-19 autopsies: preliminary findings. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2021; 8:017501. [PMID: 34268443 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.8.s1.017501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We used computerized image analysis and machine learning approaches to characterize spatial arrangement features of the immune response from digitized autopsied H&E tissue images of the lung in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Additionally, we applied our approach to tease out potential morphometric differences from autopsies of patients who succumbed to COVID-19 versus H1N1. Approach: H&E lung whole slide images from autopsy specimens of nine COVID-19 and two H1N1 patients were computationally interrogated. 606 image patches ( ∼ 55 per patient) of 1024 × 882 pixels were extracted from the 11 autopsied patient studies. A watershed-based segmentation approach in conjunction with a machine learning classifier was employed to identify two types of nuclei families: lymphocytes and non-lymphocytes (i.e., other nucleated cells such as pneumocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils). Based off the proximity of the individual nuclei, clusters for each nuclei family were constructed. For each of the resulting clusters, a series of quantitative measurements relating to architecture and density of nuclei clusters were calculated. A receiver operating characteristics-based feature selection method, violin plots, and the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm were employed to study differences in immune patterns. Results: In COVID-19, the immune response consistently showed multiple small-size lymphocyte clusters, suggesting that lymphocyte response is rather modest, possibly due to lymphocytopenia. In H1N1, we found larger lymphocyte clusters that were proximal to large clusters of non-lymphocytes, a possible reflection of increased prevalence of macrophages and other immune cells. Conclusion: Our study shows the potential of computational pathology to uncover immune response features that may not be obvious by routine histopathology visual inspection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán Corredor
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Paula Toro
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Dylan Rasmussen
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Vidya Sankar Viswanathan
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Christina Buzzy
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Pingfu Fu
- Case Western Reserve University, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Lisa M Barton
- Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Edana Stroberg
- Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Eric Duval
- Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Hannah Gilmore
- University Hospitals, Department of Pathology, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | | | - Anant Madabhushi
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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47
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Sensitive and Specific Immunohistochemistry Protocol for Nucleocapsid Protein from All Common SARS-CoV-2 Virus Strains in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin Embedded Tissues. Methods Protoc 2021; 4:mps4030047. [PMID: 34287344 PMCID: PMC8293419 DOI: 10.3390/mps4030047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening and highly contagious disease caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins in tissues and cells of COVID-19 patients will support investigations of the biologic behavior and tissue and cell tropism of this virus. We identified commercially available affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies raised against nucleocapsid and spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 that provide sensitive and specific detection of the virus by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Two immunohistochemistry protocols are presented that are mutually validated by the matched detection patterns of the two distinct viral antigens in virus-infected cells within autopsy lung tissue of COVID-19 deceased patients. Levels of nucleocapsid protein in the lungs of COVID-19 decedents, as measured by quantitative histo-cytometry of immunohistochemistry images, showed an excellent log-linear relationship with levels of viral nucleocapsid RNA levels, as measured by qRT-PCR. Importantly, since the nucleocapsid protein sequence is conserved across all known viral strains, the nucleocapsid immunohistochemistry protocol is expected to recognize all common variants of SARS-CoV-2. Negative controls include autopsy lung tissues from patients who died from non-COVID-19 respiratory disease and control rabbit immunoglobulin. Sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in human tissues will provide insights into viral tissue and cell distribution and load in patients with active infection, as well as provide insight into the clearance rate of virus in later COVID-19 disease stages. The protocols are also expected to be readily transferable to detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins in tissues of experimental animal models or animals suspected to serve as viral reservoirs.
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Kula BE, Clancy CJ, Hong Nguyen M, Schwartz IS. Invasive mould disease in fatal COVID-19: a systematic review of autopsies. LANCET MICROBE 2021; 2:e405-e414. [PMID: 34189490 PMCID: PMC8221729 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00091-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Invasive mould disease (IMD) might affect up to a third of critically ill patients with COVID-19. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is typically diagnosed on the basis of a combination of non-specific clinical, radiographical, and mycological findings, but whether most cases represent invasive disease is unresolved. We systematically reviewed autopsy series of three or more decedents with COVID-19 for evidence of IMD. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, OVID (Embase), and medRxiv for studies in English or French published from Jan 1, 2019, to Sept 26, 2020. We identified 1070 references, of which 50 studies met the criteria. These studies described autopsies from 677 decedents, with individual-level data for 443 decedents. The median age was 70·0 years (IQR 57·0–79·0). Of decedents with individual-level data, 133 (30%) had diabetes, 97 (22%) had pre-existing lung disease, and 27 (6%) had immunocompromising conditions. Of 548 decedents with such data, 320 (58%) received invasive mechanical ventilation; among 140 decedents for whom this was known, ventilation was for a median of 9·0 days (IQR 5·0–20·0). Treatment included immunomodulation in 60 decedents and antifungals in 50 decedents. Autopsy-proven IMD occurred in 11 (2%) of 677 decedents, including eight CAPA, two unspecified IMD, and one disseminated mucormycosis. Among 320 decedents who received mechanical ventilation, six (2%) had IMD. We conclude that IMD, including CAPA, is an uncommon autopsy finding in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany E Kula
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Cornelius J Clancy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M Hong Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ilan S Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Tan Q, He L, Meng X, Wang W, Pan H, Yin W, Zhu T, Huang X, Shan H. Macrophage biomimetic nanocarriers for anti-inflammation and targeted antiviral treatment in COVID-19. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:173. [PMID: 34112203 PMCID: PMC8190731 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 remains a serious public health menace as the lack of efficacious treatments. Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) characterized with elevated inflammation and multi-organs failure is closely correlated with the bad outcome of COVID-19. Hence, inhibit the process of CSS by controlling excessive inflammation is considered one of the most promising ways for COVID-19 treatment. RESULTS Here, we developed a biomimetic nanocarrier based drug delivery system against COVID-19 via anti-inflammation and antiviral treatment simultaneously. Firstly, lopinavir (LPV) as model antiviral drug was loaded in the polymeric nanoparticles (PLGA-LPV NPs). Afterwards, macrophage membranes were coated on the PLGA-LPV NPs to constitute drugs loaded macrophage biomimetic nanocarriers (PLGA-LPV@M). In the study, PLGA-LPV@M could neutralize multiple proinflammatory cytokines and effectively suppress the activation of macrophages and neutrophils. Furthermore, the formation of NETs induced by COVID-19 patients serum could be reduced by PLGA-LPV@M as well. In a mouse model of coronavirus infection, PLGA-LPV@M exhibited significant targeted ability to inflammation sites, and superior therapeutic efficacy in inflammation alleviation and tissues viral loads reduction. CONCLUSION Collectively, such macrophage biomimetic nanocarriers based drug delivery system showed favorable anti-inflammation and targeted antiviral effects, which may possess a comprehensive therapeutic value in COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqin Tan
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingjie He
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojun Meng
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Hudan Pan
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, 999078, China
| | - Weiguo Yin
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianchuan Zhu
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China. .,Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China. .,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hong Shan
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
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Dimbath E, Maddipati V, Stahl J, Sewell K, Domire Z, George S, Vahdati A. Implications of microscale lung damage for COVID-19 pulmonary ventilation dynamics: A narrative review. Life Sci 2021; 274:119341. [PMID: 33716059 PMCID: PMC7946865 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic surges on as vast research is produced to study the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease state it induces. Still, little is known about the impact of COVID-19-induced microscale damage in the lung on global lung dynamics. This review summarizes the key histological features of SARS-CoV-2 infected alveoli and links the findings to structural tissue changes and surfactant dysfunction affecting tissue mechanical behavior similar to changes seen in other lung injury. Along with typical findings of diffuse alveolar damage affecting the interstitium of the alveolar walls and blood-gas barrier in the alveolar airspace, COVID-19 can cause extensive microangiopathy in alveolar capillaries that further contribute to mechanical changes in the tissues and may differentiate it from previously studied infectious lung injury. Understanding microlevel damage impact on tissue mechanics allows for better understanding of macroscale respiratory dynamics. Knowledge gained from studies into the relationship between microscale and macroscale lung mechanics can allow for optimized treatments to improve patient outcomes in case of COVID-19 and future respiratory-spread pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Dimbath
- Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | | | - Jennifer Stahl
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Kerry Sewell
- Laupus Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Zachary Domire
- Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie George
- Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Ali Vahdati
- Department of Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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