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High-Speed Human Temporal Bone Sectioning for the Assessment of COVID-19-Associated Middle Ear Pathology
Published on: May 18, 2022
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COVID-19 Autopsies, Oklahoma, USA
Lisa M Barton1, Eric J Duval1, Edana Stroberg1
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Oklahoma City, OK.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|April 11, 2020
Summary
Autopsies confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in two deceased individuals. Autopsy findings like diffuse alveolar damage indicate virus-related pathology, while other findings may be unrelated.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic in 2020.
- Understanding the postmortem manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is crucial for public health and clinical management.
Observation:
- Two complete autopsies were performed on SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals in Oklahoma.
- Standard autopsy procedures were followed in a negative-pressure suite with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Findings:
- Autopsy of a 77-year-old male revealed diffuse alveolar damage and bronchial inflammation.
- Autopsy of a 42-year-old male showed acute bronchopneumonia with aspiration, despite a positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab.
- Neither autopsy identified viral inclusions, mucus plugging, eosinophils, or myocarditis.
Implications:
- Postmortem SARS-CoV-2 testing is feasible and valuable.
- Autopsy findings like diffuse alveolar damage are indicative of COVID-19 pathology.
- Other autopsy findings may represent co-existing conditions or unrelated processes.
