scholarly journals Postmortem Biopsies of the Lung, Heart, Liver, and Spleen of COVID-19 Patients

Author(s):  
Isil Yurdaisik ◽  
Ahu Senem Demiroz ◽  
Aysim Buge Oz ◽  
Mustafa Akker ◽  
Ayse Gul Agirman ◽  
...  

Objective: We aimed to evaluate histopathologic alterations in the lung, heart, liver, and spleen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) decedents through postmortem core needle biopsies. Materials and Methods: Patients who died of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-proven COVID-19 were included in this postmortem case series. Postmortem percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsies using 14- and 16-gauge needles were performed in the lungs, heart, liver, and spleen. Biopsy samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under a light microscope. Clinicodemographic characteristics, chest computed tomography (CT) images, and COVID-19-related treatments of the patients were also collected. Results: Seven patients were included in this study. Liver and heart tissue samples were available from all patients, and lung and spleen tissues were available from five and three patients, respectively. Chest CT images predominantly revealed bibasilar ground-glass opacities. Lung biopsies showed diffuse alveolar damage in all biopsy specimens. Heart findings were nonspecific and largely compatible with the underlying disease. Patchy necrosis, steatosis, and mononuclear cellular infiltration were the main findings in the liver biopsies. Splenic histopathological examination showed that splenic necrosis and neutrophil infiltration were the common findings in all patients. Conclusion: Tissue acquisition was complete for the heart and liver and acceptable for lungs. The amount of tissue was sufficient for a proper histopathologic examination. The histopathological findings were generally in accordance with previous autopsy studies. The lung radiological findings were also correlated with the histopathologic findings. We consider that a postmortem biopsy is a feasible alternative for histopathological examinations in COVID-19 decedents.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atish Gheware ◽  
Animesh Ray ◽  
Deeksha Rana ◽  
Prashant Bajpai ◽  
Aruna Nambirajan ◽  
...  

Abstract Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key host protein by which severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters and multiplies within cells. The level of ACE2 expression in the lung is hypothesised to correlate with an increased risk of severe infection and complications in COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease 2019). To test this hypothesis, we compared the protein expression status of ACE2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in post-mortem lung samples of patients who died of severe COVID-19 and lung samples obtained from non-COVID-9 patients for other indications. IHC for CD61 and CD163 were performed for assessment of platelet-rich microthrombi and macrophages, respectively. IHC for SARS-CoV-2 viral antigen was also performed. Quantification of immunostaining, random sampling, and correlation analysis was used to substantiate the morphologic findings. Our results show that among a total of 44 COVID-19 post-mortem lung tissues and 15 lung biopsies in non-COVID-19 patients included, ACE2 protein expression was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in controls, regardless of sample size. Histomorphology in COVID-19 lungs showed diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), acute bronchopneumonia, and acute lung injury with SARS-CoV-2 viral protein detected in a subset of cases. ACE2 expression levels positively correlated with increased expression levels of CD61 and CD163. In conclusion, our results show significantly higher ACE2 protein expression in severe COVID-19 disease, correlating with increased macrophage infiltration and microthrombi, suggesting a pathobiological role in disease severity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Halide Nur Urer ◽  
Gokhan Ersoy ◽  
Emine Dilek Yılmazbayhan

Introduction. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a morphological prototype of acute interstitial pneumonia. Hospital autopsies or open-lung biopsies are used to monitor common alveolar damage and hyaline membrane (HM) development histopathologically. The aim of this study was to detect histopathological profiles and frequency of DAD and HM in adult forensic autopsies.Materials and Methods. In total, 6813 reports with histopathological samples in 12,504 cases on which an autopsy was performed between 2006 and 2008 were investigated. Sixty-six individuals >18 years of age who were diagnosed with DAD were included. Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained lung preparations were reexamined in line with the 2002 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society idiopathic interstitial pneumonia consensus criteria.Results. Histopathological examination revealed that 50 cases (75.7%) were in the exudative phase and 16 (24.2%) were in the proliferative phase. Only the rate of alveolar exudate/oedema in exudative phase cases (); those of alveolar histiocytic desquamation (), alveolar fibrosis (), chronic inflammation (), and alveolar fibrin () in proliferative cases were significantly higher. The presence of alveolar fibrin was the only independent variable in favour of proliferative cases ().Conclusion. The detection of all DAD morphological criteria with the same intensity is not always possible in each case. Forensic autopsies may provide a favourable means for expanding our knowledge about acute lung damage, DAD, and interstitial lung disease.


Author(s):  
Viola Zaki ◽  
Ahmed EL-gamal ◽  
Yasmin Reyad

he present research carried out to study the common bacterial infections in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in Manzala area at Dakahlia governorate and possible antimicrobial agents used for treatment. A total number of 400 fish were randomly collected from Manzala private farms at Dakahlia governorate and subjected to the clinical, bacteriological and histopathological examination. The highest prevalence of bacterial isolates during the whole period of examination of naturally infected O.niloticus was recorded for A.hydrophila (22.66%), followed by V.alginolyticus (19.01%), V.parahemolyticus (13.80%), Streptococcus spp. (12.24%), A.caviae (11.72%), V.cholera (10.16%), A.salmonicida (7.55%), while the lowest prevalence was recorded for Klebsiella oxytoca (2.86%). The seasonal highest total prevalence of bacterial isolates from examined naturally infected O. niloticus was recorded in spring (30.21%), followed by autumn (28.39%), then summer (22.40%) and the lowest prevalence was recorded in winter (19.01%). Histopathological findings of the tissue samples which collected from different organs of naturally infected O.niloticus revealed that spleen show marked hemosiderosis and sever hemorrhage, gills showsever congestion of lamellar capillaries with marked aneurysm, necrosis and hemorrhage of lamellar epithelium and liver show sever hydropic degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against all isolated bacterial strains


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712110028
Author(s):  
F Kar ◽  
İ Söğüt ◽  
C Hacıoğlu ◽  
Y Göncü ◽  
H Şenturk ◽  
...  

Background: Hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (hBN NPs) are encouraging nanomaterials with unique chemical properties in medicine and biomedical fields. Until now, the optimal hBN NP’s dosage and biochemical mechanism that can be used for in vivo systems has not been fully revealed. The main aim of this article is to reveal characteristics, serum and tissue interactions and any acute cytotoxic effect of different dose of hBN NPs for the first time. Methods: hBN NPs at concentrations varying between 50–3200 µg/kg was administered by intravenous injection to Wistar albino rats (n = 80) divided into seven dosage and control groups. Blood and tissue samples were taken after 24 hours. Results: Our findings suggested that higher doses hBN NPs caused oxidative stress on the serum of rats dose-dependently. However, hBN NPs did not affect thiol/disulfide homeostasis on kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas and heart tissue of rats. Furthermore, hBN NPs increased serum disulfide formation by disrupting the thiol/disulfide balance in rats. Also, LOOH and MPO levels increased at high doses, while CAT levels decreased statistically. Conclusion: The results revealed that hBN NPs induce oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner by modulating thiol/disulfide homeostasis in rats at higher concentrations


Author(s):  
Arwa Kurabi ◽  
Kwang Pak ◽  
Adam S. DeConde ◽  
Allen F. Ryan ◽  
Carol H. Yan

AbstractViral infections have already been implicated with otitis media and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. However, the pathophysiology of COVID-19 as it relates to otologic disorders is not well-defined. With the spread of SARS-CoV-2, it is important to evaluate its colonization of middle ear mucosa. Middle ear and nasal tissue samples for quantitative RT-PCR and histologic evaluations were obtained from post-mortem COVID-19 patients and non-diseased control patients. Here we present evidence that SARS-CoV-2 colonizes the middle ear epithelium and co-localizes with the primary viral receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Both middle ear and nasal epithelial cells show relatively high expression of ACE2, required for SARS-CoV-2 entry. The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was use as a biomarker of epithelia. Furthermore, we found that the viral load in the middle ear is lower than that present in the nasal cavity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110071
Author(s):  
Vijitha S Vempuluru ◽  
Monalisha Pattnaik ◽  
Neha Ghose ◽  
Swathi Kaliki

Purpose: To describe the risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with bilateral ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: Of the 25 patients with bilateral OSSN, the mean age at diagnosis of OSSN was 31 years (median, 24 years; range, 2–60 years). Risk factors for bilateral OSSN included xeroderma pigmentosum ( n = 15, 60%), human immunodeficiency virus infection ( n = 3, 12%), conjunctival xerosis ( n = 1, 4%), and topical steroid use ( n = 1, 4%). There were no identifiable ocular or systemic risk factors in 7 (28%) patients. Presentation was synchronous in 14 (56%) and metachronous in 11 (44%) patients. Tumor morphology was bilaterally similar in 12 (48%) patients. Histopathological examination ( n = 36) revealed conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 in 4 (8%); grade 2 in 7 (14%); carcinoma in situ in 5 (10%), and invasive carcinoma in 20 (40%). Primary management of OSSN ( n = 49) included excisional biopsy ( n = 31, 62%), topical immunotherapy (IFN α2B) ( n = 11; 22%), topical Mitomycin C (MMC) ( n = 3, 6%), enucleation ( n = 1, 2%), orbital exenteration ( n = 2, 4%), and plaque brachytherapy (PBT) ( n = 1, 2%). One patient was lost to follow-up after detection of tumor in the second eye. Recurrent tumors were noted in 16 (32%) eyes and binocular globe salvage was achieved in 16 (64%) patients at a mean follow up of 41 months (median 30 months; range, 1–164 months). Conclusion: OSSN occurrence can be synchronous or metachronous. Meticulous examination of the fellow eye is important for an early diagnosis of OSSN.


2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUKMINI M. KONATALAPALLI ◽  
PAUL J. DEMARCO ◽  
JAMES S. JELINEK ◽  
MARK MURPHEY ◽  
MICHAEL GIBSON ◽  
...  

Objective.Gout typically affects the peripheral joints of the appendicular skeleton and rarely involves the axial joints. The literature on axial gout is limited to case reports and case series. This preliminary study was conducted to identify the frequency and characteristics of axial gout.Methods.Six hundred thirty medical records with ICD codes 274.0, 274.82, and 274.9 for peripheral gout were reviewed. Ninety-two patients had clinical or crystal-proven gout, of which 64 had prior computed tomography (CT) images of the spine performed for various medical reasons. These CT images were reviewed for features of axial gout, which include vertebral erosions mainly at the discovertebral junction and the facet joints, deposits of tophi, and erosions in the vertebral body, epidural space, ligamentum flavum and pars interarticularis.Results.Nine of the 64 patients had radiographic changes suggestive of axial gout. Lumbar vertebrae were most commonly involved, with facet joint erosions being the most common finding. Isolated involvement of the sacroiliac joints was seen in 2 patients. Axial gout had been diagnosed clinically in only one patient.Conclusion.Radiologic changes of axial gout were more common than recognized clinically, with a frequency of 14%. Since not all patients had CT images, it is possible that the frequency of axial involvement was even greater. A prospective study is needed to further define this process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay H. Bhandarwar ◽  
Girish D. Bakhshi ◽  
Eham Arora ◽  
Nikhil Dhimole ◽  
Sanjay R. Bijwe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background SARS CoV-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising up challenges on various levels ranging from therapeutics to diagnostics. The conventional autopsy technique may pose a health hazard to health care workers. A minimally invasive autopsy technique can diminish this hazard. Materials and methods Between August and November 2020, 51 patients who were suffering from Covid-19 at the time of their demise were included. A novel minimally invasive ultrasound-guided technique for procuring tissue samples of major organs was employed which were thereafter subject to histopathological examination. A detailed review of the course in hospital was noted. An analysis was performed to correlate the cause of death ascertained from our minimally invasive technique with the cause of death ascertained clinically. Results There was adequate tissue sampling in 45 cases, where the minimally invasive autopsy technique confirmed the cause of death in all 45 cases (100%) and made it more specific in 5 cases (11.11%). Conclusion Minimally Invasive Autopsy is an easily reproducible technique which has the potential to strengthen the probable the cause of death with reasonable certainty while ensuring safety and ethics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis G. Gómez-Escobar ◽  
Katherine L. Hoffman ◽  
Justin J. Choi ◽  
Alain Borczuk ◽  
Steven Salvatore ◽  
...  

AbstractIncreasing evidence has shown that Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) severity is driven by a dysregulated immunologic response. We aimed to assess the differences in inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to contemporaneously hospitalized controls and then analyze the relationship between these cytokines and the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and mortality. In this cohort study of hospitalized patients, done between March third, 2020 and April first, 2020 at a quaternary referral center in New York City we included adult hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and negative controls. Serum specimens were obtained on the first, second, and third hospital day and cytokines were measured by Luminex. Autopsies of nine cohort patients were examined. We identified 90 COVID-19 patients and 51 controls. Analysis of 48 inflammatory cytokines revealed upregulation of macrophage induced chemokines, T-cell related interleukines and stromal cell producing cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared to the controls. Moreover, distinctive cytokine signatures predicted the development of ARDS, AKI and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Specifically, macrophage-associated cytokines predicted ARDS, T cell immunity related cytokines predicted AKI and mortality was associated with cytokines of activated immune pathways, of which IL-13 was universally correlated with ARDS, AKI and mortality. Histopathological examination of the autopsies showed diffuse alveolar damage with significant mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, the kidneys demonstrated glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial lymphocyte infiltration and cortical and medullary atrophy. These patterns of cytokine expression offer insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease, its severity, and subsequent lung and kidney injury suggesting more targeted treatment strategies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-488
Author(s):  
Gesa Kellermann ◽  
Aristotelis G. Anastasiadis ◽  
Desirée L. Dräger ◽  
Friedrich Prall ◽  
Oliver W. Hakenberg

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease, which is characterized by the production of thick mucus in exocrine glands. The main cause for morbidity and mortality in CF patients is respiratory failure. The gastrointestinal system is also commonly affected. Urologic manifestations of CF include infertility and azoospermia, nephrolithiasis, and stress urinary incontinence. In this report, we describe a 33-year-old male, who presented with recurrent urinary retention due to prostatic enlargement despite his young age. After transurethral resection, the voiding problems resolved. Histopathological examination, however, revealed a severe pseudocystic mucoid degeneration of the prostatic matrix as a cause of his subvesical obstruction. Although these structural changes are most probably due to his underlying disease, detailed histologic features have not been described in the literature.


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