COVID-19 pathology: experience of 2000 autopsies

Abstract

Background: Pathological anatomy, patogenesis and the morphogenesis of manifestations and complications of COVID-19 remain insufficiently studied. The fullest information on structural bases of organs and tissues alterations by new coronavirus disease can be obtained as a result of autopsies.

Aims: The aim of the study was to study the morphological changes of lungs and other organs of the autopsies of COVID-19 deceased persons. Results of 2000 autopsies of people who died of a severe form of COVID-19 in Moscow, consisting of 1212 men and 788 women, from March 20 to May 22, 2020 (a ratio 1.54:1) aged from 20 to 99 years (on average 68.5±15.63 years) were presented. This experience was previously generalized in the Atlas COVID-19 pathology. Autopsies were made in the converted interstationary pathoanatomical offices at strict observance of rules of biosafety according to standard and legal documents of WHO, Russian Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor.

Results: Morphological changes of lungs with varying severity and extent were detected in all examined cases; however, damage to other organs was also common, which in some cases prevailed over pulmonary changes and was the cause of death. The main morphological changes in lungs were diffuse alveolar damage and microangiopathy, alveolar hemorrhage syndrome, thrombosis, and thromboembolism.

Conclusion: The involvement of the lungs, other organs, and vascular system in the pathological process is a result of multiple factors. It is advisable to implement clinical and morphological «masks» of COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19 / autopsy / pulmonary pathology / organs pathology / vascular pathology

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Zayratyants O.V., Samsonova M.V., Cherniaev A.L., Mishnev O.D., Mikhaleva L.M., Krupnov N.M., Kalinin D.V.