5 research outputs found
Neuropathology in COVID-19 autopsies is defined by microglial activation and lesions of the white matter with emphasis in cerebellar and brain stem areas
IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate microglial and macrophage activation in 17 patients who died in the context of a COVID-19 infection in 2020 and 2021.MethodsThrough immunohistochemical analysis, the lysosomal marker CD68 was used to detect diffuse parenchymal microglial activity, pronounced perivascular macrophage activation and macrophage clusters. COVID-19 patients were compared to control patients and grouped regarding clinical aspects. Detection of viral proteins was attempted in different regions through multiple commercially available antibodies.ResultsMicroglial and macrophage activation was most pronounced in the white matter with emphasis in brain stem and cerebellar areas. Analysis of lesion patterns yielded no correlation between disease severity and neuropathological changes. Occurrence of macrophage clusters could not be associated with a severe course of disease or preconditions but represent a more advanced stage of microglial and macrophage activation. Severe neuropathological changes in COVID-19 were comparable to severe Influenza. Hypoxic damage was not a confounder to the described neuropathology. The macrophage/microglia reaction was less pronounced in post COVID-19 patients, but detectable i.e. in the brain stem. Commercially available antibodies for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus material in immunohistochemistry yielded no specific signal over controls.ConclusionThe presented microglial and macrophage activation might be an explanation for the long COVID syndrome
Neuropathology in COVID-19 autopsies is defined by microglial activation and lesions of the white matter with emphasis in cerebellar and brain stem areas
Introduction: This study aimed to investigate microglial and macrophage
activation in 17 patients who died in the context of a COVID-19 infection in 2020
and 2021.
Methods: Through immunohistochemical analysis, the lysosomal marker
CD68 was used to detect diffuse parenchymal microglial activity, pronounced
perivascular macrophage activation and macrophage clusters. COVID-19 patients
were compared to control patients and grouped regarding clinical aspects.
Detection of viral proteins was attempted in different regions through multiple
commercially available antibodies.
Results: Microglial and macrophage activation was most pronounced in the
white matter with emphasis in brain stem and cerebellar areas. Analysis of lesion
patterns yielded no correlation between disease severity and neuropathological
changes. Occurrence of macrophage clusters could not be associated with a
severe course of disease or preconditions but represent a more advanced stage
of microglial and macrophage activation. Severe neuropathological changes
in COVID-19 were comparable to severe Influenza. Hypoxic damage was not
a confounder to the described neuropathology. The macrophage/microglia
reaction was less pronounced in post COVID-19 patients, but detectable i.e. in
the brain stem. Commercially available antibodies for detection of SARS-CoV-2
virus material in immunohistochemistry yielded no specific signal over controls.
Conclusion: The presented microglial and macrophage activation might be an
explanation for the long COVID syndrome