July 20, 2020

Histopathology and Ultrastructural Findings of Fatal COVID-19 Infections in Washington State: A Case Series

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• In conducting post-mortem examinations of 14 people who died with COVID-19 in Washington state, Bradley et al. found coronavirus-like particles in the respiratory system, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. One decedent had findings of lymphocytic myocarditis, with SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in the myocardial tissue. All patients had clinically-significant comorbidities, with the most common being hypertension, chronic kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic disease including diabetes and obesity. 

Bradley et al. (July 16, 2020). Histopathology and Ultrastructural Findings of Fatal COVID-19 Infections in Washington State: A Case Series. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31305-2