Iranian Journal of Pathology

Histopathological Examination of Lung Necropsy of 11 Patients Who Died Due to COVID-19: A Case Series

Document Type : Case Reports

Authors

Bahram Nikkhoo 1
Karim Naseri 2
Ramyar Rahimi Darehbagh 3
Mehrdad Habiby 3
Bahar Moasses-Ghafari 4

1 Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

2 Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

3 Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

4 Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30699/ijp.2023.2008773.3153
Abstract
Background
Covid-19 in known to present with acute respiratory distress syndrome pathological manifestations. Studies have shown that patients with Covid-19 can develope diffuse alveolar damage, acute bronchopneumonia, necrotic bronchiolitis, and viral pneumonia.
Case Presentation
In this study, we investigate 11 cases. Needle necropsies of 11 patients, hospitalized at Tohid and Kowsar hospitals of Kurdistan University of medical Sciences, with a positive antemortem SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) real time PCR test, were fixated within 3 hours after death in the negative-pressure isolation morgue. The participants included 6 men (54%) and 5 women (46%) with mean age of 73.82 ± 10.58 (52–86) years old. The average hospitalization was 14.27 ± 15.72 days. The results showed an interstitial lymphocytic pneumonitis in most of the cases, with severities ranging from mild to moderate and severe in some cases. In 7 cases, Anthracosis and in one case, anthracosis with fibrosis was evident. Hyaline membrane was reported in two patients. In one case, a severe interstitial lymphocytic pneumonia with intra-alveolar exudate with organization, lithiasis, bronchiolitis pattern (BOOP) along with intra-alveolar hemorrhage and mild fibrosis was seen.
Conclusion
As a result, it is suggested to keep an eye on these pathologies in managing severe case of COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

COVID-19
Iran
Pathology
Necropsy
Lung

Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Pathology
Volume 19, Issue 1
Winter 2024
Pages 126-131

  • Receive Date 09 August 2023
  • Revise Date 14 September 2023
  • Accept Date 14 September 2023

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