PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN SARS CoV-1/CoV-2

1. Respiratory tract

 Diffuse alveolar damage with varying degrees of acute exudative features including edema and hyaline membranes, organization, and fibrosis. Macrophagic or mixed cellular infiltration, multinuclear giant cells, atypical reactive pneumocytes, and vascular injury. Positive in situ hybridization signals in pneumocytes, lymphocytes, and Macrophages

2. Spleen and lymph nodes  

Lymphocyte depletion in spleen and lymph nodes with architectural disruption. Splenic white pulp atrophy. Positive in situ hybridization signals in immune cells

3. Intestines

No obvious pathological changes/ nonspecific changes. Depletion of mucosal lymphoid tissue. Positive in situ hybridization signals in mucosal epithelial cells

4. Liver

No specific pathological changes. In some cases, necrosis and evidence of apoptosis

5. Kidneys

Acute tubular necrosis, in varying degrees and other nonspecific features. Positive in situ hybridization signals in the epithelial cells of the distal tubules

6. Central nervous system

Edema and degeneration of neurons, several neurons in situ hybridization-positive

Central nervous system Edema and degeneration of neurons, several neurons in situ hybridization-positive

7. Bone marrow

In some cases, reactive hemophagocytosis

8. Skeletal Muscles

Myofiber necrosis and atrophy, few regenerative myofibers

9. Adrenal gland

Necrosis and infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes

10.  Thyroid gland

Destruction of follicular epithelial cells, several apoptotic cells

11. Testes

Germ cell destruction, apoptotic spermatogenetic cells

12. Heart

Edema and atrophy of myocardial fibers