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Ellsworth CR, Wang C, Katz AR, Chen Z, Islamuddin M, Yang H, Scheuermann SE, Goff KA, Maness NJ, Blair RV, Kolls JK, Qin X. Natural Killer Cells Do Not Attenuate a Mouse-Adapted SARS-CoV-2-Induced Disease in Rag2-/- Mice. Viruses 2024; 16:611. [PMID: 38675952 PMCID: PMC11054502 DOI: 10.3390/v16040611] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the roles of T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) cells in the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, utilizing mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2-MA30 (MA30). To evaluate this MA30 mouse model, we characterized MA30-infected C57BL/6 mice (B6) and compared them with SARS-CoV-2-WA1 (an original SARS-CoV-2 strain) infected K18-human ACE2 (K18-hACE2) mice. We found that the infected B6 mice developed severe peribronchial inflammation and rapid severe pulmonary edema, but less lung interstitial inflammation than the infected K18-hACE2 mice. These pathological findings recapitulate some pathological changes seen in severe COVID-19 patients. Using this MA30-infected mouse model, we further demonstrate that T and/or B cells are essential in mounting an effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2. This was evident as Rag2-/- showed heightened vulnerability to infection and inhibited viral clearance. Conversely, the depletion of NK cells did not significantly alter the disease course in Rag2-/- mice, underscoring the minimal role of NK cells in the acute phase of MA30-induced disease. Together, our results indicate that T and/or B cells, but not NK cells, mitigate MA30-induced disease in mice and the infected mouse model can be used for dissecting the pathogenesis and immunology of severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calder R Ellsworth
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Chenxiao Wang
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Alexis R Katz
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.R.K.); (H.Y.); (J.K.K.)
| | - Zheng Chen
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Mohammad Islamuddin
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Haoran Yang
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.R.K.); (H.Y.); (J.K.K.)
- Department of Pulmonary Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Sarah E Scheuermann
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
| | - Kelly A Goff
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
| | - Nicholas J Maness
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Robert V Blair
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
| | - Jay K Kolls
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (A.R.K.); (H.Y.); (J.K.K.)
- Department of Pulmonary Critical Care and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Xuebin Qin
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Health Sciences Campus, 18703 Three Rivers Road, Covington, LA 70433, USA; (C.R.E.); (C.W.); (Z.C.); (M.I.); (S.E.S.); (K.A.G.); (N.J.M.); (R.V.B.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Kontorshchikov AS, Mikhaleva LM, Sharafetdinova MA, Vasyukova OA, Kozlov IS, Vandysheva RA, Kakturskiy LV. [Clinical and laboratory parameters and pathomorphological features of the lungs in patients who have had COVID-19 viral pneumonia]. Arkh Patol 2024; 86:27-35. [PMID: 38319269 DOI: 10.17116/patol20248601127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Post-Covid syndrome is characterized by general somatic manifestations, changes in the psycho-emotional sphere, cognitive disorders, disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory systems and excretory function. However, there is little information in the literature about the mechanisms of thanatogenesis in patients who have had COVID-19. An analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters and pathomorphological changes was carried out in 9 autopsy cases of patients who had previously suffered a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The age of the deceased ranged from 80 to 96 years. At the time of hospitalization, the concentration of IgG varied from 32.61 to 1013.5 RLU, IgM - from 0.29 to 16.98 U/ml. The period from clinical diagnosis to death ranged from 12 to 46 days, and the time from clinical recovery (negative polymerase chain reaction) to death ranged from 2 to 30 days. In all cases, unresolved viral pneumonia and diffuse alveolar damage (exudative-proliferative phase) were diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Kontorshchikov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
- City Clinical Hospital No. 31 named after Academician G.M. Savelyeva, Moscow, Russia
| | - L M Mikhaleva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
- City Clinical Hospital No. 31 named after Academician G.M. Savelyeva, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - O A Vasyukova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
- City Clinical Hospital No. 31 named after Academician G.M. Savelyeva, Moscow, Russia
| | - I S Kozlov
- City Clinical Hospital No. 31 named after Academician G.M. Savelyeva, Moscow, Russia
| | - R A Vandysheva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - L V Kakturskiy
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
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Mikhaleva L, Gioeva Z, Varyasin V, Berezhnaja E, Vandysheva R, Gutyrchik N, Pechnikova V, Kontorshchikov A, Midiber K, Kakturskij L. Pathomorphological Features of the Novel Coronavirus Disease in Patients with Systemic Amyloidosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2811. [PMID: 37893183 PMCID: PMC10604009 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloidosis is one of the rare systemic illnesses characterized by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in various organs and tissues. There is a common point between COVID-19 and systemic amyloidosis regarding the multiorgan involvement in the pathological process which leads to a heightened risk for severe morbidity and mortality in amyloidosis patients who contracted COVID-19. We performed a pathomorphological analysis of the autopsy records of 22 patients who had COVID-19 and pre-existing systemic amyloidosis. The premortem diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis was established in 55% of patients, and in other 45% of cases, amyloidosis was found at autopsy. Based on the results of immunohistochemical amyloid typing, amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was detected in 23%, amyloid light chain (AL) lambda in 32%, AL kappa-in 9%, and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis-in 36% of observations. Immunohistochemical staining with an antibody against SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein revealed positive immune reactions in type II alveolocytes in 59% of deceased persons. The analysis of autopsy findings indicates that patients with systemic amyloidosis are more likely to experience an aggressive clinical course of COVID-19 which leads to a multiorgan failure and a higher risk of fatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudmila Mikhaleva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zarina Gioeva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Rositsa Vandysheva
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita Gutyrchik
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
- Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina Pechnikova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrej Kontorshchikov
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Midiber
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
| | - Lev Kakturskij
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", 117418 Moscow, Russia
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4
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Bailey M, Linden D, Guo-Parke H, Earley O, Peto T, McAuley DF, Taggart C, Kidney J. Vascular risk factors for COVID-19 ARDS: endothelium, contact-kinin system. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1208866. [PMID: 37448794 PMCID: PMC10336249 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1208866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 receptors, expressed within the lungs. Risk factors for hospitalization include hypertension, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and obesity-conditions linked by the presence of endothelial pathology. Viral infection in this setting causes increased conversion of circulating Factor XII to its active form (FXIIa). This is the first step in the contact-kinin pathway, leading to synchronous activation of the intrinsic coagulation cascade and the plasma Kallikrein-Kinin system, resulting in clotting and inflammatory lung disease. Temporal trends are evident from blood results of hospitalized patients. In the first week of symptoms the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is prolonged. This can occur when clotting factors are consumed as part of the contact (intrinsic) pathway. Platelet counts initially fall, reflecting their consumption in coagulation. Lymphopenia occurs after approximately 1 week, reflecting the emergence of a lymphocytic pneumonitis [COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)]. Intrinsic coagulation also induces the contact-kinin pathway of inflammation. A major product of this pathway, bradykinin causes oedema with ground glass opacities (GGO) on imaging in early COVID-19. Bradykinin also causes release of the pleiotrophic cytokine IL-6, which causes lymphocyte recruitment. Thromobosis and lymphocytic pneumonitis are hallmark features of COVID-19 ARDS. In this review we examine the literature with particular reference to the contact-kinin pathway. Measurements of platelets, lymphocytes and APTT should be undertaken in severe infections to stratify for risk of developing ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Bailey
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Dermot Linden
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
- Wellcome - Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Hong Guo-Parke
- Wellcome - Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Earley
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Tunde Peto
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
- Wellcome - Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Danny F. McAuley
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
- Wellcome - Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Clifford Taggart
- Wellcome - Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Kidney
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom
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5
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Solomon IH, Singh A, Folkerth RD, Mukerji SS. What Can We Still Learn from Brain Autopsies in COVID-19? Semin Neurol 2023. [PMID: 37023787 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1767716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathological findings have been published from ∼900 patients who died with or from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, representing less than 0.01% of the close to 6.4 million deaths reported to the World Health Organization 2 years into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this review, we extend our prior work summarizing COVID-19 neuropathology by including information on published autopsies up to June 2022, and neuropathological studies in children, COVID-19 variants, secondary brain infections, ex vivo brain imaging, and autopsies performed in countries outside of the United States or Europe. We also summarize research studies that investigate mechanisms of neuropathogenesis in nonhuman primates and other models. While a pattern of cerebrovascular pathology and microglial-predominant inflammation remains the primary COVID-19-associated neuropathological finding, there is no singular understanding of the mechanisms that underlie neurological symptoms in acute COVID-19 or the post-acute COVID-19 condition. Thus, it is paramount that we incorporate microscopic and molecular findings from brain tissue into what we know about the clinical disease so that we attain best practice guidance and direct research priorities for the study of the neurological morbidity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac H Solomon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arjun Singh
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Infectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Healing Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rebecca D Folkerth
- Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Shibani S Mukerji
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuro-Infectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts
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6
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Normandin E, Valizadeh N, Rudmann EA, Uddin R, Dobbins ST, MacInnis BL, Padera RF, Siddle KJ, Lemieux JE, Sabeti PC, Mukerji SS, Solomon IH. Neuropathological features of SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:283-295. [PMID: 36847705 PMCID: PMC10025880 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continually evolving resulting in variants with increased transmissibility, more severe disease, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failure. The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2 and AY lineages) was the dominant circulating strain in the United States from July to mid-December 2021, followed by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529 and BA lineages). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with neurological sequelae including loss of taste/smell, headache, encephalopathy, and stroke, yet little is known about the impact of viral strain on neuropathogenesis. Detailed postmortem brain evaluations were performed for 22 patients from Massachusetts, including 12 who died following infection with Delta variant and 5 with Omicron variant, compared to 5 patients who died earlier in the pandemic. Diffuse hypoxic injury, occasional microinfarcts and hemorrhage, perivascular fibrinogen, and rare lymphocytes were observed across the 3 groups. SARS-CoV-2 protein and RNA were not detected in any brain samples by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, or real-time quantitative PCR. These results, although preliminary, demonstrate that, among a subset of severely ill patients, similar neuropathological features are present in Delta, Omicron, and non-Delta/non-Omicron variant patients, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 variants are likely to affect the brain by common neuropathogenic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Normandin
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Navid Valizadeh
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuro-infectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily A Rudmann
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuro-infectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rockib Uddin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Robert F Padera
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jacob E Lemieux
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pardis C Sabeti
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shibani S Mukerji
- Division of Neuroimmunology and Neuro-infectious Diseases, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isaac H Solomon
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Septimiu-Radu S, Gadela T, Gabriela D, Oancea C, Rosca O, Lazureanu VE, Fericean RM, Bratosin F, Dumitrescu A, Stoicescu ER, Bagiu I, Murariu M, Mavrea A. A Systematic Review of Lung Autopsy Findings in Elderly Patients after SARS-CoV-2 Infection. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052070. [PMID: 36902856 PMCID: PMC10004532 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 may cause various and multiorgan diseases, few research studies have examined the postmortem pathological findings of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals who died. Active autopsy results may be crucial for understanding how COVID-19 infection operates and preventing severe effects. In contrast to younger persons, however, the patient's age, lifestyle, and concomitant comorbidities might alter the morpho-pathological aspects of the damaged lungs. Through a systematic analysis of the available literature until December 2022, we aimed to provide a thorough picture of the histopathological characteristics of the lungs in patients older than 70 years who died of COVID-19. A thorough search was conducted on three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), including 18 studies and a total of 478 autopsies performed. It was observed that the average age of patients was 75.6 years, of which 65.4% were men. COPD was identified in an average of 16.7% of all patients. Autopsy findings indicated significantly heavier lungs, with an average weight of the right lung of 1103 g, while the left lung mass had an average weight of 848 g. Diffuse alveolar damage was a main finding in 67.2% of all autopsies, while pulmonary edema had a prevalence of between 50% and 70%. Thrombosis was also a significant finding, while some studies described focal and extensive pulmonary infarctions in 72.7% of elderly patients. Pneumonia and bronchopneumonia were observed, with a prevalence ranging from 47.6% to 89.5%. Other important findings described in less detail comprise hyaline membranes, the proliferation of pneumocytes and fibroblasts, extensive suppurative bronchopneumonic infiltrates, intra-alveolar edema, thickened alveolar septa, desquamation of pneumocytes, alveolar infiltrates, multinucleated giant cells, and intranuclear inclusion bodies. These findings should be corroborated with children's and adults' autopsies. Postmortem examination as a technique for studying the microscopic and macroscopic features of the lungs might lead to a better knowledge of COVID-19 pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, hence enhancing elderly patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susa Septimiu-Radu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tejaswi Gadela
- School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India
| | - Doros Gabriela
- Department of Pediatrics, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristian Oancea
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Rosca
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Voichita Elena Lazureanu
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Roxana Manuela Fericean
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bratosin
- Department XIII, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreea Dumitrescu
- Cardioprevent Foundation, Calea Dorobantilor 3, Timisoara 300134, Romania
| | - Emil Robert Stoicescu
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iulia Bagiu
- Department of Microbiology, Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Mircea Murariu
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, Discipline of Infectious Disease, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adelina Mavrea
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology Clinic, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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8
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Yang C, Cai L, Xiao SY. Pathologic Characteristics of Digestive Tract and Liver in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2023; 52:201-214. [PMID: 36813426 PMCID: PMC9531645 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
With the high prevalence of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), there has been increasing understanding of the pathologic changes associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review summarizes the pathologic changes in the digestive system and liver associated with COVID-19, including the injuries induced by SARS-CoV2 infection of GI epithelial cells and the systemic immune responses. The common digestive manifestations associated with COVID-19 include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; the clearance of the viruses in COVID-19 patients with digestive symptoms is usually delayed. COVID-19-associated gastrointestinal histopathology is characterized by mucosal damage and lymphocytic infiltration. The most common hepatic changes are steatosis, mild lobular and portal inflammation, congestion/sinusoidal dilatation, lobular necrosis, and cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiu Yang
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lijun Cai
- Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Yuan Xiao
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, MC6101, Anatomic Pathology, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Abstract
The existence of coronaviruses has been known for many years. These viruses cause significant disease that primarily seems to affect agricultural species. Human coronavirus disease due to the 2002 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and the 2012 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome made headlines; however, these outbreaks were controlled, and public concern quickly faded. This complacency ended in late 2019 when alarms were raised about a mysterious virus responsible for numerous illnesses and deaths in China. As we now know, this novel disease called Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and rapidly became a worldwide pandemic. Luckily, decades of research into animal coronaviruses hastened our understanding of the genetics, structure, transmission, and pathogenesis of these viruses. Coronaviruses infect a wide range of wild and domestic animals, with significant economic impact in several agricultural species. Their large genome, low dependency on host cellular proteins, and frequent recombination allow coronaviruses to successfully cross species barriers and adapt to different hosts including humans. The study of the animal diseases provides an understanding of the virus biology and pathogenesis and has assisted in the rapid development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here, we briefly review the classification, origin, etiology, transmission mechanisms, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, including available vaccines, for coronaviruses that affect domestic, farm, laboratory, and wild animal species. We also briefly describe the coronaviruses that affect humans. Expanding our knowledge of this complex group of viruses will better prepare us to design strategies to prevent and/or minimize the impact of future coronavirus outbreaks.
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Key Words
- bcov, bovine coronavirus
- ccov, canine coronavirus
- cov(s), coronavirus(es)
- covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- crcov, canine respiratory coronavirus
- e, coronaviral envelope protein
- ecov, equine coronavirus
- fcov, feline coronavirus
- fipv, feline infectious peritonitis virus
- gfcov, guinea fowl coronavirus
- hcov, human coronavirus
- ibv, infectious bronchitis virus
- m, coronaviral membrane protein
- mers, middle east respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- mhv, mouse hepatitis virus
- pedv, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
- pdcov, porcine deltacoronavirus
- phcov, pheasant coronavirus
- phev, porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
- prcov, porcine respiratory coronavirus
- rt-pcr, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- s, coronaviral spike protein
- sads-cov, swine acute diarrhea syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus
- sars-cov-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus–2
- tcov, turkey coronavirus
- tgev, transmissible gastroenteritis virus
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso S Gozalo
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland;,
| | - Tannia S Clark
- Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David M Kurtz
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
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10
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Who Were Hospitalized Deceased Patients from COVID-19 During the First Year of Pandemic? Retrospective Analysis of 1104 Deceased Patients in South of France. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2022; 12:196-205. [PMID: 35486358 PMCID: PMC9053122 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-022-00039-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a complete analysis of the characteristics of the deceased hospitalized patients was performed, to identify factors related to premature mortality and to compare patient profiles according to the epidemic periods. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1104 deceased patients in two University Hospitals in South-eastern France, between March 1, 2020 and March 12, 2021 from Hospital’s electronic medical records was performed. Results Mean age was 80 years (± 11.1) and 10% of the deceased were younger than 65 years with specific comorbidities, e.g., genetic conditions, metastatic cancer, or massive obesity. Among the three clusters identified, two clusters (75% of deceased patients) include very elderly patients with numerous comorbidities, and differ by their proportion of dependent institutionalized patients. The third cluster is made up of younger patients with fewer but severe comorbidities. Deceased patients’ profiles varied according to the epidemic periods: during the first period (March–June 2020), more patients were institutionalized. The second period (September–December2020) coincided with a higher mortality rate. Conclusions This study confirmed that most patients hospitalized and dying from COVID-19 were frail, i.e., elderly and/or highly comorbid and that the small proportion of young patients had severe comorbidities. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44197-022-00039-3.
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11
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Yadav J, Goel G, Purwar S, Saigal S, Tandon A, Joshi A, Patel B, Js S, S M, Singh J, Shankar P, Arora A, Singh S. Clinical, Virological, and Pathological Profile of Patients Who Died of COVID-19: An Autopsy-Based Study From India. Cureus 2022; 14:e23538. [PMID: 35494966 PMCID: PMC9041644 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.23538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Ever since its emergence in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than 220 million people worldwide, resulting in more than 45 million deaths. The present autopsy-based study was undertaken to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and correlate the histopathological and virological findings with the antemortem clinical and biochemical determinants. Methods In this prospective observational study, autopsies were carried out on 21 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-proven COVID-19 patients who had died of the disease. The histopathological findings of tissue samples from lungs, liver, and kidneys collected during the autopsy were graded based on their presence or absence; if present, they were graded as either focal or diffuse. The findings were correlated with antemortem clinical and biochemical findings. Postmortem tissue RT-PCR analysis was conducted, and findings were compared with postmortem histopathological findings. Results There was multisystem involvement with the COVID-19 cases. The involvement of lungs was observed in most of the cases (90.4%). The presence of viral RNA was observed in all the organs including the liver (57.1%) and kidney (66.6%). An association was observed between antemortem biochemical parameters [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] and the histopathological features in the liver. No correlation between the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score recorded clinically and lung histopathology was observed; nor was there any correlation between blood urea-creatinine levels and kidney histopathology. Conclusions Our study shows that COVID-19 is a multisystemic disease and the mortality associated with it is likely to be multifactorial. Despite the presence of amplifiable severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in various organs, no association could be established between the clinical and histopathology findings. Neither the duration of hospitalization nor the duration of mechanical ventilation showed any correlation with the severity of histopathological findings in the lungs at autopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanthi Yadav
- Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Garima Goel
- Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Shashank Purwar
- Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Saurabh Saigal
- Anaesthesiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Ashwani Tandon
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Ankur Joshi
- Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Brinda Patel
- Forensic Medicine, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, IND
| | - Sravan Js
- Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Mahaluxmi S
- Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Jitendra Singh
- Translation Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Prem Shankar
- Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Arneet Arora
- Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
| | - Sarman Singh
- Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Bhopal, IND
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12
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Rodionov VE, Avdalyan AM, Konovalov DM, Boriskin NV, Tyurin IN, Protsenko DN, Zayratyants OV, Filipenko ML, Oskorbin IP, Koryukov MA. [Features of the cell composition of inflammatory infiltrate in different phases of diffuse alveolar lung damage with COVID-19]. Arkh Patol 2022; 84:5-13. [PMID: 35639838 DOI: 10.17116/patol2022840315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with COVID-19 has a worse prognosis than ARDS with other diseases. Mortality from ARDS with COVID-19 is 26.0 - 61.5%, and due to other causes - 35.3-37.2%. OBJECTIVE To find of the correlation between polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), lymphocytes, and macrophages in the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate at different stages and phases of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) with COVID-19, analyzing the autopsy material. MATERIAL AND METHODS The lung tissue of 25 patients who died from ARDS with COVID-19 without a secondary bacterial or mycotic infection, another thanatologically significant pathology of the lungs, was studied. To study the cellular composition of the inflammatory infiltrate and the dynamics of its changes a double immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of antibodies to CD15, CD3, and CD68 was used. RESULTS The inflammatory infiltrate and intraalveolar exudate in the exudative phase of DAD was represented by 56.8% of PMNs (CD15-positive cells; hereinafter - the average value of the percentage of positive cells to the total number of cells of the inflammatory infiltrate), 6.9% - lymphocytes (CD3-positive cells) and 19.5% macrophages (CD68-positive cells). In the early stage of the proliferative phase: 14.1% PMNs, 38.7% lymphocytes and 13.5% macrophages. In the late stage of the proliferative phase: 11.3% PMNs, 14.5% lymphocytes and 39.3% macrophages. CONCLUSIONS In the exudative phase of DAD a statistically significant predominance of PMN was revealed, which could determine the main volume of lung damage and the severity of ARDS with COVID-19. In the early stage of the proliferative phase of DAD, a statistically significant change in the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate was revealed to compare with the exudative phase: a significant decrease in the content of PMNs relative to the total number of cells in the inflammatory infiltrate; an increase in the number of lymphocytes, which is probably associated with the start of organization and repair processes. In the late stage of the proliferative phase of DAD, compared with its early stage, was revealed a statistically significant increase in the number of macrophages in ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- V E Rodionov
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
- Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - A M Avdalyan
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
- A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - D M Konovalov
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
- Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center Of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuious Professional Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - N V Boriskin
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
| | - I N Tyurin
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
| | - D N Protsenko
- Moscow Multidisciplinary Clinical Center «Komnunarka» of Moscow Healthcare department, Moscow, Russia
- N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Zayratyants
- A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia
- Acad. A.P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | - M L Filipenko
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - I P Oskorbin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M A Koryukov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia
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13
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Geller RL, Aungst JL, Newton-Levinson A, Smith GP, Mosunjac MB, Mosunjac MI, Cunningham CS, Gowitt GT. Is it COVID-19? The value of medicolegal autopsies during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 330:111106. [PMID: 34826762 PMCID: PMC8590613 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objectives We describe the experience of a busy metropolitan medical examiner’s office in the United States and share our navigation of the COVID-19 autopsy decision-making process. We describe key gross and microscopic findings that, with appropriate laboratory testing, should direct a pathologist towards a COVID-19-related cause of death. Material and methods We performed a retrospective review of 258 suspected and/or confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths that occurred between March 5, 2020, and March 4, 2021. Results A total of 62 cases due to fatal COVID-19 were identified; autopsy findings included diffuse alveolar damage, acute bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia, and pulmonary thromboemboli. Nine additional decedents had a nasopharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 and a cause of death unrelated to COVID-19. Forty-seven cases with COVID-19-like symptoms showed no laboratory or histopathologic evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection; the most common causes of death in this group were hypertensive or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, complications of chronic alcoholism, and pulmonary thromboemboli unrelated to infection. Conclusions The clinical findings associated with COVID-19 are not specific; a broad differential diagnosis should be embraced when decedents present with cough or shortness of breath. An autopsy may be indicated to identify a cause of death unrelated to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Geller
- DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office, Decatur, GA, USA; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jenna L Aungst
- DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office, Decatur, GA, USA
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