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Kellum CL, Kirkland LG, Nelson TK, Jewett SM, Rytkin E, Efimov IR, Hoover DB, Benson PV, Wagener BM. Sympathetic remodeling and altered angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 localization occur in patients with cardiac disease but are not exacerbated by severe COVID-19. Auton Neurosci 2024; 251:103134. [PMID: 38101169 PMCID: PMC10872860 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2023.103134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Remodeling of sympathetic nerves and ACE2 has been implicated in cardiac pathology, and ACE2 also serves as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2. However, there is limited histological knowledge about the transmural distribution of sympathetic nerves and the cellular localization and distribution of ACE2 in human left ventricles from normal or diseased hearts. Goals of this study were to establish the normal pattern for these parameters and determine changes that occurred in decedents with cardiovascular disease alone compared to those with cardiac pathology and severe COVID-19. METHODS We performed immunohistochemical analysis on sections of left ventricular wall from twenty autopsied human hearts consisting of a control group, a cardiovascular disease group, and COVID-19 ARDS, and COVID-19 non-ARDS groups. RESULTS Using tyrosine hydroxylase as a noradrenergic marker, we found substantial sympathetic nerve loss in cardiovascular disease samples compared to controls. Additionally, we found heterogeneous nerve loss in both COVID-19 groups. Using an ACE2 antibody, we observed robust transmural staining localized to pericytes in the control group. The cardiovascular disease hearts displayed regional loss of ACE2 in pericytes and regional increases in staining of cardiomyocytes for ACE2. Similar changes were observed in both COVID-19 groups. CONCLUSIONS Heterogeneity of sympathetic innervation, which occurs in cardiac disease and is not increased by severe COVID-19, could contribute to arrhythmogenesis. The dominant localization of ACE2 to pericytes suggests that these cells would be the primary target for potential cardiac infection by SARS-CoV-2. Regional changes in ACE2 staining by myocytes and pericytes could have complex effects on cardiac pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Creighton L Kellum
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Logan G Kirkland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Tasha K Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Seth M Jewett
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Eric Rytkin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Igor R Efimov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Donald B Hoover
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA; Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Paul V Benson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Brant M Wagener
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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2
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He W, Zhou L, Xu K, Li H, Wang JJ, Chen C, Wang D. Immunopathogenesis and immunomodulatory therapy for myocarditis. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2112-2137. [PMID: 37002488 PMCID: PMC10066028 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2273-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory cardiac disease characterized by the destruction of myocardial cells, infiltration of interstitial inflammatory cells, and fibrosis, and is becoming a major public health concern. The aetiology of myocarditis continues to broaden as new pathogens and drugs emerge. The relationship between immune checkpoint inhibitors, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, vaccines against coronavirus disease-2019, and myocarditis has attracted increased attention. Immunopathological processes play an important role in the different phases of myocarditis, affecting disease occurrence, development, and prognosis. Excessive immune activation can induce severe myocardial injury and lead to fulminant myocarditis, whereas chronic inflammation can lead to cardiac remodelling and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy. The use of immunosuppressive treatments, particularly cytotoxic agents, for myocarditis, remains controversial. While reasonable and effective immunomodulatory therapy is the general trend. This review focuses on the current understanding of the aetiology and immunopathogenesis of myocarditis and offers new perspectives on immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu He
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ling Zhou
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - James Jiqi Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - DaoWen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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3
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Root-Bernstein R, Huber J, Ziehl A, Pietrowicz M. SARS-CoV-2 and Its Bacterial Co- or Super-Infections Synergize to Trigger COVID-19 Autoimmune Cardiopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12177. [PMID: 37569555 PMCID: PMC10418384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune cardiopathies (AC) following COVID-19 and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 occur at significant rates but are of unknown etiology. This study investigated the possible roles of viral and bacterial mimicry, as well as viral-bacterial co-infections, as possible inducers of COVID-19 AC using proteomic methods and enzyme-linked immunoadsorption assays. BLAST and LALIGN results of this study demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 shares a significantly greater number of high quality similarities to some cardiac protein compared with other viruses; that bacteria such as Streptococci, Staphylococci and Enterococci also display very significant similarities to cardiac proteins but to a different set than SARS-CoV-2; that the importance of these similarities is largely validated by ELISA experiments demonstrating that polyclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19-associated bacteria recognize cardiac proteins with high affinity; that to account for the range of cardiac proteins targeted by autoantibodies in COVID-19-associated autoimmune myocarditis, both viral and bacterial triggers are probably required; that the targets of the viral and bacterial antibodies are often molecularly complementary antigens such as actin and myosin, laminin and collagen, or creatine kinase and pyruvate kinase, that are known to bind to each other; and that the corresponding viral and bacterial antibodies recognizing these complementary antigens also bind to each other with high affinity as if they have an idiotype-anti-idiotype relationship. These results suggest that AC results from SARS-CoV-2 infections or vaccination complicated by bacterial infections. Vaccination against some of these bacterial infections, such as Streptococci and Haemophilus, may therefore decrease AC risk, as may the appropriate and timely use of antibiotics among COVID-19 patients and careful screening of vaccinees for signs of infection such as fever, diarrhea, infected wounds, gum disease, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Root-Bernstein
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (J.H.); (A.Z.); (M.P.)
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4
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van den Berg J, Haslbauer JD, Stalder AK, Romanens A, Mertz KD, Studt JD, Siegemund M, Buser A, Holbro A, Tzankov A. Von Willebrand factor and the thrombophilia of severe COVID-19: in situ evidence from autopsies. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2023; 7:100182. [PMID: 37333991 PMCID: PMC10192064 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 is accompanied by a hypercoagulable state and characterized by microvascular and macrovascular thrombotic complications. In plasma samples from patients with COVID-19, von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels are highly elevated and predictive of adverse outcomes, especially mortality. Yet, VWF is usually not included in routine coagulation analyses, and histologic evidence of its involvement in thrombus formation is lacking. Objectives To determine whether VWF, an acute-phase protein, is a bystander, ie, a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, or a causal factor in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Methods We compared autopsy samples from 28 patients with lethal COVID-19 to those from matched controls and systematically assessed for VWF and platelets by immunohistochemistry. The control group comprised 24 lungs, 23 lymph nodes, and 9 hearts and did not differ significantly from the COVID-19 group in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood group, or anticoagulant use. Results In lungs, assessed for platelets by immunohistochemistry for CD42b, microthrombi were more frequent in patients with COVID-19 (10/28 [36%] vs 2/24 [8%]; P = .02). A completely normal pattern of VWF was rare in both groups. Accentuated endothelial staining was found in controls, while VWF-rich thrombi were only found in patients with COVID-19 (11/28 [39%] vs 0/24 [0%], respectively; P < .01), as were NETosis thrombi enriched with VWF (7/28 [25%] vs 0/24 [0%], respectively; P < .01). Forty-six percent of the patients with COVID-19 had VWF-rich thrombi, NETosis thrombi, or both. Trends were also seen in pulmonary draining lymph nodes (7/20 [35%] vs 4/24 [17%]; P = .147), where the overall presence of VWF was very high. Conclusion We provide in situ evidence of VWF-rich thrombi, likely attributable to COVID-19, and suggest that VWF may be a therapeutic target in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana van den Berg
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jasmin D Haslbauer
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Anna K Stalder
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Romanens
- Department of Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten D Mertz
- Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Jan-Dirk Studt
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Siegemund
- Intensive Care Unit, Department of Acute Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Buser
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Holbro
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cardiac consequences occur in both acute COVID-19 and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Here, we highlight the current understanding about COVID-19 cardiac effects, based upon clinical, imaging, autopsy, and molecular studies. RECENT FINDINGS COVID-19 cardiac effects are heterogeneous. Multiple, concurrent cardiac histopathologic findings have been detected on autopsies of COVID-19 non-survivors. Microthrombi and cardiomyocyte necrosis are commonly detected. Macrophages often infiltrate the heart at high density but without fulfilling histologic criteria for myocarditis. The high prevalences of microthrombi and inflammatory infiltrates in fatal COVID-19 raise the concern that recovered COVID-19 patients may have similar but subclinical cardiac pathology. Molecular studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection of cardiac pericytes, dysregulated immunothrombosis, and pro-inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic responses underlie COVID-19 cardiac pathology. The extent and nature by which mild COVID-19 affects the heart is unknown. Imaging and epidemiologic studies of recovered COVID-19 patients suggest that even mild illness confers increased risks of cardiac inflammation, cardiovascular disorders, and cardiovascular death. The mechanistic details of COVID-19 cardiac pathophysiology remain under active investigation. The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vast numbers of recovered COVID-19 patients portend a burgeoning global cardiovascular disease burden. Our ability to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease in the future will likely depend on comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 cardiac pathophysiologic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo R. Sewanan
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Kevin J. Clerkin
- Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Emily J. Tsai
- Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY USA
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6
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Babazadeh Z. Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome in SARS-Cov-2-Induced Multiorgan Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms. TANAFFOS 2023; 22:40-52. [PMID: 37920322 PMCID: PMC10618576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein- 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical component of the innate immune system. The inflammasome activation is correlated with the COVID- 19 severity. Furthermore, the underlying conditions are accompanied by hyperactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome and poor outcomes. Herein, we presented the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenies of SARS-CoV-2-induced multiorgan dysfunction and potential therapeutics. Overexpression of NLRP3 inflammasome components and subsequently increased levels of cytokines following viral infection leads to the cytokine storm and indirectly affects the organ functions. Besides, invading host cells via SARS-CoV-2 further activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and induces pyroptosis in immune cells, resulting in the secretion of higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines into the extracellular matrix. These events continued by induction of fibrosis and organ dysfunction following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in critically ill patients. This condition can be observed in individuals with comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, obesity, etc.) due to a primed state of immunity, which can cause severe disease or death in this population. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying host-SARS-CoV-2 interaction may help to clarify the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2- induced multiorgan dysfunction and introduce potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Babazadeh
- Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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7
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Martínez-Colón GJ, Ratnasiri K, Chen H, Jiang S, Zanley E, Rustagi A, Verma R, Chen H, Andrews JR, Mertz KD, Tzankov A, Azagury D, Boyd J, Nolan GP, Schürch CM, Matter MS, Blish CA, McLaughlin TL. SARS-CoV-2 infection drives an inflammatory response in human adipose tissue through infection of adipocytes and macrophages. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabm9151. [PMID: 36137009 PMCID: PMC9529056 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abm9151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation of the adipose tissue, is associated with adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, yet the underlying mechanism is unknown. To explore whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of adipose tissue contributes to pathogenesis, we evaluated COVID-19 autopsy cases and deeply profiled the response of adipose tissue to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. In COVID-19 autopsy cases, we identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in adipocytes with an associated inflammatory infiltrate. We identified two distinct cellular targets of infection: adipocytes and a subset of inflammatory adipose tissue-resident macrophages. Mature adipocytes were permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection; although macrophages were abortively infected, SARS-CoV-2 initiated inflammatory responses within both the infected macrophages and bystander preadipocytes. These data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection of adipose tissue could contribute to COVID-19 severity through replication of virus within adipocytes and through induction of local and systemic inflammation driven by infection of adipose tissue-resident macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kalani Ratnasiri
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Heping Chen
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sizun Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Elizabeth Zanley
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Arjun Rustagi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Renu Verma
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Han Chen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jason R. Andrews
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kirsten D. Mertz
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, 4410, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dan Azagury
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jack Boyd
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Garry P. Nolan
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Christian M. Schürch
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital and Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen, 72070, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias S. Matter
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital of Basel, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Catherine A. Blish
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Tracey L. McLaughlin
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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8
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Correlation between structural heart disease and cardiac SARS-CoV-2 manifestations. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:142. [DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00204-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
The prognosis of COVID-19 patients with cardiac involvement is unfavorable and it remains unknown which patients are at risk. The virus enters cells via its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Myocardial ACE2 expression is increased in structural heart disease (SHD). We, therefore, aimed to analyze correlations between structural heart disease and cardiac SARS-CoV-2 manifestation.
Methods:
The clinical course of COVID-19 in patients with structural heart disease was assessed in a prospective cohort of 152 patients. The primary endpoints consisted of hospitalization and survival. Cardiac tissue of 23 autopsy cases with lethal COVID-19 course was obtained and analyzed for (a) the presence of SHD, (b) myocardial presence of SARS-CoV-2 via RT,-PCR, and (c) levels of ACE2 expression using immunofluorescence staining.
Results:
Structural heart disease is found in 67 patients, of whom 56 (83.60%) are hospitalized. The myocardium is positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 15 patients (65%) in 23 autopsy cases of lethal COVID-19. Moreover, most hearts with evidence of myocardial SARS-CoV-2 have structural heart disease [11 (91,67%) vs. 1 (8,33%), p = 0.029]. Myocardial presence of SARS-CoV-2 is correlated with a significant downregulation of ACE2 compared to negative control hearts (6.545 ± 1.1818 A.U. vs. 7.764 ± 2.411 A.U., p = 0.003). The clinical course of patients with cardiac SARS-CoV-2 manifestation is unfavorable, resulting in impaired survival (median, 12 days and 4.5 days, respectively, HR 0.30, 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.73, p = 0.0005)
Conclusions:
We provide evidence for a correlation between SHD, altered ACE2 receptor expression, and cardiac SARS-CoV-2 manifestation. Consequently, structural heart disease may be considered a distinct risk factor for a severe clinical course after infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Registration number local IRB:
Ethics Committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland ID 2020-00629; Ethics Committee of the Medical University Innsbruck EK Nr: 1103/2020.
ClinicalTrials.gov number:
NCT04416100.
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9
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Kaimori R, Nishida H, Uchida T, Tamura M, Kuroki K, Murata K, Hatakeyama K, Ikeda Y, Amemiya K, Nishizono A, Daa T, Mori S. Histopathologically TMA-like distribution of multiple organ thromboses following the initial dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech): an autopsy case report. Thromb J 2022; 20:61. [PMID: 36203145 PMCID: PMC9540301 DOI: 10.1186/s12959-022-00418-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide. Vaccination is now recommended as one of the effective countermeasures to control the pandemic or prevent the worsening of symptoms. However, its adverse effects have been attracting attention. Here, we report an autopsy case of multiple thromboses after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) in an elderly woman. Case presentation A 72-year-old woman with a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the stomach and hyperthyroidism received the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and died 2 days later. The autopsy revealed multiple microthrombi in the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. The thrombi were CD61 and CD42b positive and were located in the blood vessels primarily in the pericardial aspect of the myocardium and subcapsular region of the adrenal glands; their diameters were approximately 5–40 μm. Macroscopically, a characteristic myocardial haemorrhage was observed, and the histopathology of the characteristic thrombus distribution, which differed from that of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation, suggested that the underlying pathophysiology may have been similar to that of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Conclusion This is the first report on a post-mortem case of multiple thromboses after the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The component thrombus and characteristic distribution of the thrombi were similar to those of TMA, which differs completely from haemolytic uraemic syndrome or disseminated intravascular coagulation, after vaccination. Although rare, it is important to consider that fatal adverse reactions may occur after vaccination and that it is vital to conduct careful follow-up. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12959-022-00418-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kaimori
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan. .,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan. .,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
| | - Haruto Nishida
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
| | - Tomohisa Uchida
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Mari Tamura
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Kohji Kuroki
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Kumi Murata
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Kinta Hatakeyama
- Department of Pathology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Ikeda
- Department of Pathology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Kisaki Amemiya
- Department of Pathology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Akira Nishizono
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.,Research Center for GLOBAL and LOCAL Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Daa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Mori
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
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10
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Bo Y, Yuli C, Ye W, Junfeng L, Xiaolin C, Yan B, Zhongyuan W. Immune-inflammatory biomarkers and the risk of cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients with diabetes: a retrospective cohort study. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2022; 21:188. [PMID: 36123740 PMCID: PMC9483899 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-022-01625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To determine the risk-assessment role of the immune-inflammatory biomarkers on myocardial damage in COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods This retrospective study was conducted on 822 COVID-19 inpatients from 1 January to 10 March 2020 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. The demographic data, clinical data, and immune-inflammatory parameters of participants were collected. The predictors of cardiac injury were assessed by Logistics regression analysis. Results A total of 246 COVID-19 inpatients were diagnosed with DM (29.9%). The incidence of cardiac injury was higher in patients with DM than in non-DM cases (28.9% vs 9.0%, p < 0.001), even grouped by age, gender, and the level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The mortality in diabetic COVID-19 patients with cardiac injury and without cardiac injury was 42.9% and 3.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). COVID-19 patients with DM and cardiac injury presented a decreased number of immunocyte subsets, lower C3 concentration, and a higher level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). The independent risk factors for cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients with DM were CD3+CD4+ T cells counts ≤ 288 cells/μl (adjusted Odds ratio (OR), 2.501; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.282–4.877; p = 0.007) and IL-6 > 25.68mpg/ml (adjusted OR, 4.345; 95% CI 2.192–10.374; p < 0.001) (all Pinteraction < 0.05). Conclusions For diabetic patients with COVID-19, cardiac injury not only induce severer immune-inflammatory responses, but also increase in-hospital mortality. The decreased number of CD3+CD4+ T cells and increased IL-6 are recommended to distinguish the people who refer to high risk of cardiac injury and mortality from those persons. However, it remains a testable theory whether decision-making strategies based on the risk status of cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients, especially with DM, would be expected to get better outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-022-01625-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Bo
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Cai Yuli
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Wang Ye
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Li Junfeng
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Chen Xiaolin
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Bao Yan
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
| | - Wen Zhongyuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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11
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Schwab N, Nienhold R, Henkel M, Baschong A, Graber A, Frank A, Mensah N, Koike J, Hernach C, Sachs M, Daun T, Zsikla V, Willi N, Junt T, Mertz KD. COVID-19 Autopsies Reveal Underreporting of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Scarcity of Co-infections. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:868954. [PMID: 35492342 PMCID: PMC9046787 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.868954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality can be estimated based on reliable mortality data. Variable testing procedures and heterogeneous disease course suggest that a substantial number of COVID-19 deaths is undetected. To address this question, we screened an unselected autopsy cohort for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and a panel of common respiratory pathogens. Lung tissues from 62 consecutive autopsies, conducted during the first and second COVID-19 pandemic waves in Switzerland, were analyzed for bacterial, viral and fungal respiratory pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 28 lungs of 62 deceased patients (45%), although only 18 patients (29%) were reported to have COVID-19 at the time of death. In 23 patients (37% of all), the clinical cause of death and/or autopsy findings together with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 suggested death due to COVID-19. Our autopsy results reveal a 16% higher SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and an 8% higher SARS-CoV-2 related mortality rate than reported by clinicians before death. The majority of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (75%) did not suffer from respiratory co-infections, as long as they were treated with antibiotics. In the lungs of 5 patients (8% of all), SARS-CoV-2 was found, yet without typical clinical and/or autopsy findings. Our findings suggest that underreporting of COVID-19 contributes substantially to excess mortality. The small percentage of co-infections in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients who died with typical COVID-19 symptoms strongly suggests that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients died from and not with the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Schwab
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Ronny Nienhold
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Maurice Henkel
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Albert Baschong
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Anne Graber
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Angela Frank
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Mensah
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Koike
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Hernach
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Sachs
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Till Daun
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Veronika Zsikla
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Niels Willi
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Junt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten D. Mertz
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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12
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Jonigk D, Werlein C, Acker T, Aepfelbacher M, Amann KU, Baretton G, Barth P, Bohle RM, Büttner A, Büttner R, Dettmeyer R, Eichhorn P, Elezkurtaj S, Esposito I, Evert K, Evert M, Fend F, Gaßler N, Gattenlöhner S, Glatzel M, Göbel H, Gradhand E, Hansen T, Hartmann A, Heinemann A, Heppner FL, Hilsenbeck J, Horst D, Kamp JC, Mall G, Märkl B, Ondruschka B, Pablik J, Pfefferle S, Quaas A, Radbruch H, Röcken C, Rosenwald A, Roth W, Rudelius M, Schirmacher P, Slotta-Huspenina J, Smith K, Sommer L, Stock K, Ströbel P, Strobl S, Titze U, Weirich G, Weis J, Werner M, Wickenhauser C, Wiech T, Wild P, Welte T, von Stillfried S, Boor P. Organ manifestations of COVID-19: what have we learned so far (not only) from autopsies? Virchows Arch 2022; 481:139-159. [PMID: 35364700 PMCID: PMC8975445 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03319-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of autopsies in medicine has been declining. The COVID-19 pandemic has documented and rejuvenated the importance of autopsies as a tool of modern medicine. In this review, we discuss the various autopsy techniques, the applicability of modern analytical methods to understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19, the major pathological organ findings, limitations or current studies, and open questions. This article summarizes published literature and the consented experience of the nationwide network of clinical, neuro-, and forensic pathologists from 27 German autopsy centers with more than 1200 COVID-19 autopsies. The autopsy tissues revealed that SARS-CoV-2 can be found in virtually all human organs and tissues, and the majority of cells. Autopsies have revealed the organ and tissue tropism of SARS-CoV-2, and the morphological features of COVID-19. This is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, combined with angiocentric disease, which in turn is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, (micro-) thrombosis, vasoconstriction, and intussusceptive angiogenesis. These findings explained the increased pulmonary resistance in COVID-19 and supported the recommendations for antithrombotic treatment in COVID-19. In contrast, in extra-respiratory organs, pathological changes are often nonspecific and unclear to which extent these changes are due to direct infection vs. indirect/secondary mechanisms of organ injury, or a combination thereof. Ongoing research using autopsies aims at answering questions on disease mechanisms, e.g., focusing on variants of concern, and future challenges, such as post-COVID conditions. Autopsies are an invaluable tool in medicine and national and international interdisciplinary collaborative autopsy-based research initiatives are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | | | - Till Acker
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin U Amann
- Department of Nephropathology, University Hospital Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gustavo Baretton
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Barth
- Gerhard Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Rainer M Bohle
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Saarland Homburg, Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Büttner
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Reinhard Büttner
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dettmeyer
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Philip Eichhorn
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sefer Elezkurtaj
- Department of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Esposito
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Katja Evert
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Evert
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Falko Fend
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Gaßler
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Gattenlöhner
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heike Göbel
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elise Gradhand
- Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Torsten Hansen
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital OWL of the Bielefeld University, Campus Lippe, Detmold, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Axel Heinemann
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank L Heppner
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence, NeuroCure, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Hilsenbeck
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - David Horst
- Department of Pathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan C Kamp
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gita Mall
- Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Bruno Märkl
- General Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Ondruschka
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Pablik
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Pfefferle
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Helena Radbruch
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Röcken
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Wilfried Roth
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martina Rudelius
- Institute of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Department of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Slotta-Huspenina
- Department of Pathology, TUM School of Medicine of Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kevin Smith
- Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Linna Sommer
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Konrad Stock
- Department of Nephrology, TUM School of Medicine of Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Ströbel
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Strobl
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulf Titze
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital OWL of the Bielefeld University, Campus Lippe, Detmold, Germany
| | - Gregor Weirich
- Department of Pathology, TUM School of Medicine of Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Weis
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Werner
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thorsten Wiech
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Wild
- Senckenberg Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tobias Welte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Nephrology and Immunology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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13
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Filippetti L, Pace N, Louis JS, Mandry D, Goehringer F, Rocher MS, Jay N, Selton-Suty C, Hossu G, Huttin O, Marie PY. Long-Lasting Myocardial and Skeletal Muscle Damage Evidenced by Serial CMR During the First Year in COVID-19 Patients From the First Wave. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:831580. [PMID: 35355964 PMCID: PMC8959613 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.831580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThis observational CMR study aims to characterize left-ventricular (LV) damage, which may be specifically attributed to COVID-19 and is distant in time from the acute phase, through serial CMR performed during the first year in patients with no prior cardiac disease.MethodsThis study included consecutive patients without any prior history of cardiac disease but with a peak troponin-Ic > 50 ng/ml at the time of the first COVID-wave. All had a CMR in the first months after the acute phase, and some had an additional CMR at the end of the first year to monitor LV function, remodeling, and abnormalities evocative of myositis and myocarditis - i.e., increased T1/T2 relaxation times, increased extracellular volume (ECV), and delayed contrast enhancement.ResultsNineteen consecutively admitted COVID-19 patients (17 men, median age 66 [57–71] years) were included. Eight (42%) had hypertension, six (32%) were obese, and 16 (84%) had suffered an acute respiratory distress syndrome. The 1st CMR, recorded at a median 3.2 [interquartile range: 2.6–3.9] months from the troponin peak, showed (1) LV concentric remodeling in 12 patients (63%), (2) myocardial tissue abnormalities in 11 (58%), including 9 increased myocardial ECVs, and (3) 14 (74%) increased ECVs from shoulder skeletal muscles. The 2nd CMR, obtained at 11.1 [11.0–11.7] months from the troponin peak in 13 patients, showed unchanged LV function and remodeling but a return to normal or below the normal range for all ECVs of the myocardium and skeletal muscles.ConclusionMany patients with no history of cardiac disease but for whom an increase in blood troponin-Ic ascertained COVID-19 induced myocardial damage exhibited signs of persistent extracellular edema at a median 3-months from the troponin peak, affecting the myocardium and skeletal muscles, which resolved within a one-year time frame. Associations with long-COVID symptoms need to be investigated on a larger scale now.Clinical Trial RegistrationNCT04753762 on the ClinicalTrials.gov site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Filippetti
- Department of Cardiology, CHRU-Nancy, Nancy, France
- *Correspondence: Laura Filippetti
| | | | - Jean-Sebastien Louis
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM, UMR-1254, Nancy, France
- CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, CIC 1433, Nancy, France
| | - Damien Mandry
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM, UMR-1254, Nancy, France
- Department of Radiology, CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - François Goehringer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Maria-Soledad Rocher
- Department of Medical Information, CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Nicolas Jay
- Department of Medical Information, CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | | | - Gabriela Hossu
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM, UMR-1254, Nancy, France
- CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, CIC 1433, Nancy, France
| | - Olivier Huttin
- Department of Cardiology, CHRU-Nancy, Nancy, France
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM, UMR-1116, Nancy, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Marie
- Université de Lorraine, INSERM, UMR-1116, Nancy, France
- CHRU-Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nuclear Medicine and Nancyclotep Platform, Nancy, France
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14
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Jakovac H, Ferenčić A, Stemberger C, Mohar Vitezić B, Cuculić D. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in the AV-Node of a Cardiac Conduction System—A Case Report. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7030043. [PMID: 35324590 PMCID: PMC8955572 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that new arrhythmic events frequently occur during and after coronavirus disease (COVID-19), posing additional mortality risk in older-aged and critically ill patients. However, the underlying mechanisms and cardio pathological substrates of COVID-related arrhythmias have not been clarified yet. Here, we report findings of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens and genes in the atrioventricular node (AV-node) of a cardiac conduction system, pointing to its direct infection as a possible arrhythmogenic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrvoje Jakovac
- Department of Physiology, Immunology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-(0)-51-651150; Fax: +385-(0)-51-675699
| | - Antun Ferenčić
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (A.F.); (D.C.)
| | | | - Bojana Mohar Vitezić
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia;
| | - Dražen Cuculić
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; (A.F.); (D.C.)
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15
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Hamsters Expressing Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Develop Severe Disease following Exposure to SARS-CoV-2. mBio 2022; 13:e0290621. [PMID: 35073750 PMCID: PMC8787465 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02906-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a global health emergency. While most human disease is mild to moderate, some infections lead to a severe disease characterized by acute respiratory distress, hypoxia, anosmia, ageusia, and, in some instances, neurological involvement. Small-animal models reproducing severe disease, including neurological sequela, are needed to characterize the pathophysiological mechanism(s) of disease and to identify medical countermeasures. Transgenic mice expressing the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) viral receptor under the control of the K18 promoter develop severe and lethal respiratory disease subsequent to SARS-CoV-2 intranasal challenge when high viral doses are used. Here, we report on SARS-CoV-2 infection of hamsters engineered to express the hACE2 receptor under the control of the K18 promoter. K18-hACE2 hamsters infected with a relatively low dose of 100 or 1,000 PFU of SARS-CoV-2 developed a severe and lethal disease, with most animals succumbing by day 5 postinfection. Hamsters developed severe lesions and inflammation within the upper and lower respiratory system, including infection of the nasal cavities causing marked destruction of the olfactory epithelium as well as severe bronchopneumonia that extended deep into the alveoli. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 infection spread to the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain stem and spinal cord. Wild-type (WT) hamsters naturally support SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the primary lesions present in the respiratory tract and nasal cavity. Overall, infection in the K18-hACE2 hamsters is more extensive than that in WT hamsters, with more CNS involvement and a lethal outcome. These findings demonstrate the K18-hACE2 hamster model will be valuable for studying SARS-CoV-2. IMPORTANCE The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has created a global health emergency. While most human SARS-CoV-2 disease is mild, some people develop severe, life-threatening disease. Small-animal models mimicking the severe aspects of human disease are needed to more clearly understand the pathophysiological processes driving this progression. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters engineered to express the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 viral receptor under the control of the K18 promoter. SARS-CoV-2 produces a severe and lethal infection in transgenic hamsters that mirrors the most severe aspects of COVID-19 in humans, including respiratory and neurological injury. In contrast to other animal systems, hamsters manifest disease with levels of input virus more consistent with natural human infection. This system will be useful for the study of SARS-CoV-2 disease and the development of drugs targeting this virus.
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16
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Haslbauer JD, Stalder A, Zinner C, Bassetti S, Mertz KD, Went P, Matter M, Tzankov A. Immunohistochemical and Transcriptional Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Factors and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Components in Lethal COVID-19. Pathobiology 2021; 89:166-177. [PMID: 34915500 PMCID: PMC8805061 DOI: 10.1159/000520221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Since angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) was discovered as an essential entry factor of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2), there has been conflicting evidence regarding the role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in COVID-19. This study elucidates pulmonary expression patterns SARS-CoV-2 entry factors (ACE2 and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2, TMPRSS2) and RAAS components in lethal COVID-19. Methods Lung tissue from COVID-19 autopsies (n = 27) and controls (n = 23) underwent immunohistochemical staining for RAAS components (angiotensin receptors 1 and 2, ACE2 and Mas-receptor) and bradykinin receptors 1 and 2. Staining of individual cellular populations (alveolar pneumocytes [ALV], desquamated cells [DES] and endothelium [END]) was measured by a binary scale (positive/negative). SARS-CoV-2 was detected using immunohistochemistry against nucleocapsid protein, in-situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression profiling for ACE2, ACE and TMPRSS2 was performed. Results Subtle differences were observed when comparing COVID-19 patients and controls not reaching statistical significance, such as a higher incidence of ACE2-positivity in END (52% vs. 39%) but lower positivity in ALVs (63% vs. 70%) and an overall downregulation of ACE2 gene expression (0.25 vs. 0.55). However, COVID-19 patients with RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) intake had significantly shorter hospitalization times (5 vs. 12 days), higher viral loads (57,517 vs. 15,980/10<sup>6</sup> RNase P-gene copies) and decreased ACE/ACE2-expression ratios (4.58 vs. 11.07) than patients without. TMPRSS2 expression was significantly (1.76-fold) higher in COVID-19 patients than controls. Conclusion Our study delineates the heterogeneous expression patterns of RAAS components in the lungs, which vary amongst cellular populations, and implies that COVID-19 patients with RAASi-intake present with a more rapid disease progression, although this requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Dionne Haslbauer
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna Stalder
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carl Zinner
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Bassetti
- Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Philip Went
- Institute of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Matter
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Haslbauer JD, Zinner C, Stalder AK, Schneeberger J, Menter T, Bassetti S, Mertz KD, Went P, Matter MS, Tzankov A. Vascular Damage, Thromboinflammation, Plasmablast Activation, T-Cell Dysregulation and Pathological Histiocytic Response in Pulmonary Draining Lymph Nodes of COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:763098. [PMID: 34966385 PMCID: PMC8710573 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.763098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although initial immunophenotypical studies on peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples have provided a glimpse into the immunopathology of COVID-19, analyses of pulmonary draining lymph nodes are currently scarce. 22 lethal COVID-19 cases and 28 controls were enrolled in this study. Pulmonary draining lymph nodes (mediastinal, tracheal, peribronchial) were collected at autopsy. Control lymph nodes were selected from a range of histomorphological sequelae [unremarkable histology, infectious mononucleosis, follicular hyperplasia, non-SARS related HLH, extrafollicular plasmablast activation, non-SARS related diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), pneumonia]. Samples were mounted on a tissue microarray and underwent immunohistochemical staining for a selection of immunological markers and in-situ hybridization for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and SARS-CoV-2. Gene expression profiling was performed using the HTG EdgeSeq Immune Response Panel. Characteristic patterns of a dysregulated immune response were detected in COVID-19: 1. An accumulation of extrafollicular plasmablasts with a relative paucity or depletion of germinal centers. 2. Evidence of T-cell dysregulation demonstrated by immunohistochemical paucity of FOXP3+, Tbet+ and LEF1+ positive T-cells and a downregulation of key genes responsible for T-cell crosstalk, maturation and migration as well as a reactivation of herpes viruses in 6 COVID-19 lymph nodes (EBV, HSV). 3. Macrophage activation by a M2-polarized, CD163+ phenotype and increased incidence of hemophagocytic activity. 4. Microvascular dysfunction, evidenced by an upregulation of hemostatic (CD36, PROCR, VWF) and proangiogenic (FLT1, TEK) genes and an increase of fibrin microthrombi and CD105+ microvessels. Taken together, these findings imply widespread dysregulation of both innate and adoptive pathways with concordant microvascular dysfunction in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin D. Haslbauer
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carl Zinner
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna K. Stalder
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan Schneeberger
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Menter
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Bassetti
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Philip Went
- Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Matthias S. Matter
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Alexandar Tzankov,
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18
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Ernzen K, Trask AJ, Peeples ME, Garg V, Zhao MT. Human Stem Cell Models of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Cardiovascular System. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2107-2119. [PMID: 34365591 PMCID: PMC8349465 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has infected over 190 million people to date, causing a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 relies on binding of its spike glycoprotein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for infection. In addition to fever, cough, and shortness of breath, severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in the rapid overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This overactive immune response is known as a cytokine storm, which leads to several serious clinical manifestations such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and myocardial injury. Cardiovascular disorders such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart failure not only enhance disease progression at the onset of infection, but also arise in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Tissue-specific differentiated cells and organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) serve as an excellent model to address how SARS-CoV-2 damages the lungs and the heart. In this review, we summarize the molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the current clinical perspectives of the bidirectional relationship between the cardiovascular system and viral progression. Furthermore, we also address the utility of hPSCs as a dynamic model for SARS-CoV-2 research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Ernzen
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- MCDB Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Aaron J Trask
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mark E Peeples
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Vaccine and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Vidu Garg
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- MCDB Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ming-Tao Zhao
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- MCDB Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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19
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Ferrer-Gómez A, Pian-Arias H, Carretero-Barrio I, Navarro-Cantero A, Pestaña D, de Pablo R, Zamorano JL, Galán JC, Pérez-Mies B, Ruz-Caracuel I, Palacios J. Late Cardiac Pathology in Severe Covid-19. A Postmortem Series of 30 Patients. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:748396. [PMID: 34722679 PMCID: PMC8555828 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.748396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of SARS-CoV-2 as a direct cause in the cardiac lesions in patients with severe COVID-19 remains to be established. Our objective is to report the pathological findings in cardiac samples of 30 patients who died after a prolonged hospital stay due to Sars-Cov-2 infection. We performed macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical analysis of the hearts of 30 patients; and detected Sars-Cov-2 RNA by RT-PCR in the cardiac tissue samples. The median age of our cohort was 69.5 years and 76.6% were male. The median time between symptoms onset and death was 36.5 days. The main comorbidities were arterial hypertension (13 patients, 43.3%), dyslipidemia (11 patients, 36.7%), cardiovascular conditions (8 patients, 26.7%), and obesity (8 patients, 26.7%). Cardiovascular conditions included ischemic cardiopathy in 4 patients (13.3%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2 patients (6.7%) and valve replacement and chronic heart failure in one patient each (3.3%). At autopsy, the most frequent histopathological findings were coronary artery atherosclerosis (8 patients, 26.7%), left ventricular hypertrophy (4 patients, 13.3%), chronic epicardial inflammation (3 patients, 10%) and adipose metaplasia (2 patients, 6.7%). Two patients showed focal myocarditis, one due to invasive aspergillosis. One additional patient showed senile amyloidosis. Sars-Cov-2 RNA was detected in the heart of only one out of 30 patients, who had the shortest disease evolution of the series (9 days). However, no relevant cardiac histological alterations were identified. In present series, cardiac pathology was only modest in most patients with severe COVID-19. At present, the contribution of a direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on cardiac lesions remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ferrer-Gómez
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Héctor Pian-Arias
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Carretero-Barrio
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Antonia Navarro-Cantero
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - David Pestaña
- Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Anaesthesiology and Surgical Critical Care Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl de Pablo
- Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Medical Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Zamorano
- Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Galán
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez-Mies
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Palacios
- Pathology Department, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.,Instituto Ramón y Cajal for Health Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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20
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Orchard JW, Orchard JJ, Puranik R. 'Stay home when sick' advice: implications for sport and exercise. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2021; 7:e001227. [PMID: 34712490 PMCID: PMC8513267 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic has given everyone in society an education on the harms of spread of respiratory illness. Young healthy athletes are far less likely to suffer severe adverse consequences of viral illnesses than the elderly and frail, but they are not completely immune. Chronic fatigue (overtraining) is an uncommon outcome and myocarditis a rare one, but they both warrant due consideration. It is, therefore, a sensible individual strategy to 'stay home when sick' if only for these risks. Traditionally though, athletes have tended to push through (train and play when ill) because of competing concerns, such as key events/matches and 'not wanting to let teammates down'. Data from both low COVID-19 and high COVID-19 countries show that the number of cardiovascular deaths in a society correlates with the number of respiratory deaths at the same time, further linking respiratory viruses to cardiovascular deaths. We are now more aware of public health obligations to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, in particular to protect the more vulnerable members the community. This hopefully will correspond with a change in the culture of sport to one where it is considered 'the right thing to do', to 'stay home when sick'.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Orchard
- School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica J Orchard
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rajesh Puranik
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Italia L, Tomasoni D, Bisegna S, Pancaldi E, Stretti L, Adamo M, Metra M. COVID-19 and Heart Failure: From Epidemiology During the Pandemic to Myocardial Injury, Myocarditis, and Heart Failure Sequelae. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:713560. [PMID: 34447795 PMCID: PMC8382715 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.713560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A close and intriguing relationship has been suggested between heart failure (HF) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). First, COVID-19 pandemic represented a global public health emergency in the last year and had a catastrophic impact on health systems worldwide. Several studies showed a reduction in HF hospitalizations, ranging from 30 to 66% in different countries and leading to a subsequent increase in HF mortality. Second, pre-existing HF is a risk factor for a more severe clinical course of COVID-19 and an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Third, patients hospitalized for COVID-19 may develop both an acute decompensation of chronic HF and de-novo HF as a consequence of myocardial injury and cardiovascular (CV) complications. Myocardial injury occurred in at least 10% of unselected COVID-19 cases and up to 41% in critically ill patients or in those with concomitant CV comorbidities. Few cases of COVID-19-related acute myocarditis, presenting with severe reduction in the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and peculiar histopathological findings, were described. However, recent data suggested that COVID-19 may be associated with both systolic and diastolic LV dysfunction, with LV diastolic impairment, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular dysfunction representing the most frequent findings in echocardiographic studies. An overview of available data and the potential mechanisms behind myocardial injury, possibly leading to HF, will be presented in this review. Beyond the acute phase, HF as a possible long-term consequence of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 patients has been supposed and need to be investigated yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Italia
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Tomasoni
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bisegna
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Pancaldi
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stretti
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marianna Adamo
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Metra
- Cardiology, ASST Spedali Civili and Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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22
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Menter T, Cueni N, Gebhard EC, Tzankov A. Case Report: Co-occurrence of Myocarditis and Thrombotic Microangiopathy Limited to the Heart in a COVID-19 Patient. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:695010. [PMID: 34395562 PMCID: PMC8358395 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.695010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We report on an impressive case of a previously healthy 47-year-old female Caucasian SARS-CoV-2 positive patient who died within 48 h after initial cardiac symptoms. Autopsy revealed necrotizing myocarditis and extensive microthrombosis as the cause of death. The interesting feature of this case is the combination of both myocarditis and extensive localized microthrombosis of cardiac capillaries. Microthrombosis was not present in other organs, and the patient did not show typical features of diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs. Taken together, our morphologic findings illustrate the angiocentric, microangiopathic, thromboinflammatory disease with significant thrombotic diathesis prevalent in COVID-19, which has been previously described in the literature, likely warranting thromboprophylaxis even in oligosymptomatic circumstances. This case also delineates several potential etiologies for microthrombosis, i.e., inflammatory reactions and primary hypercoagulative states. Further systematic analyses on risk stratification for receipt of prophylactic anticoagulation in COVID-19 are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Menter
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Cueni
- Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Alexandar Tzankov
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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23
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Inflammatory Response in COVID-19 Patients Resulting from the Interaction of the Inflammasome and SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157914. [PMID: 34360684 PMCID: PMC8348456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began at the end of 2019. COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients with COVID-19 may exhibit poor clinical outcomes. Some patients with severe COVID-19 experience cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or a cytokine storm—elevated levels of hyperactivated immune cells—and circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. This severe inflammatory response can lead to organ damage/failure and even death. The inflammasome is an intracellular immune complex that is responsible for the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 in various human diseases. Recently, there has been a growing number of studies revealing a link between the inflammasome and COVID-19. Therefore, this article summarizes the current literature regarding the inflammasome complex and COVID-19.
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24
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Bonnemain J, Ltaief Z, Liaudet L. The Right Ventricle in COVID-19. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10122535. [PMID: 34200990 PMCID: PMC8230058 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) results in COVID-19, a disease primarily affecting the respiratory system to provoke a spectrum of clinical manifestations, the most severe being acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients also develop various cardiac complications, among which dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) appears particularly common, especially in severe forms of the disease, and which is associated with a dismal prognosis. Echocardiographic studies indeed reveal right ventricular dysfunction in up to 40% of patients, a proportion even greater when the RV is explored with strain imaging echocardiography. The pathophysiological mechanisms of RV dysfunction in COVID-19 include processes increasing the pulmonary vascular hydraulic load and others reducing RV contractility, which precipitate the acute uncoupling of the RV with the pulmonary circulation. Understanding these mechanisms provides the fundamental basis for the adequate therapeutic management of RV dysfunction, which incorporates protective mechanical ventilation, the prevention and treatment of pulmonary vasoconstriction and thrombotic complications, as well as the appropriate management of RV preload and contractility. This comprehensive review provides a detailed update of the evidence of RV dysfunction in COVID-19, its pathophysiological mechanisms, and its therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Bonnemain
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.B.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zied Ltaief
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.B.); (Z.L.)
| | - Lucas Liaudet
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; (J.B.); (Z.L.)
- Division of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-79-556-4278
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