Pathological lung changes in COVID-19 deceased patients

Background: COVID-19 disease causes diffuse alveolar damage associated with a high mortality rate The aim of the analysis of deceased patients with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is to assess histopathological changes in the lungs as the key target organ in this infection Methods: We performed partial autopsies on patients with COVID-19 treated at the University Hospital of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik We assessed various histopathological changes in the lungs of deceased patients with COVID-19 disease We performed immunohisto-chemical stainings to prove the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in lung samples Results: The main histopathological finding was diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation, interstitial and alveolar oedema and fibrinous exudation in the alveoli Interstitial inflammatory infiltration was mild to moderate In some patients, alveolar damage was partly organized, but without the presence of fibrosis We found cytopathic changes of the alveolar epithelium consistent with viral infection in all patients We found the presence of virus in lung samples of all patients Conclusion: COVID-19 disease affects the lungs, causing diffuse alveolar damage, which can lead to death Autopsy still plays an important role in modern medicine, giving a contribution to the understanding of new diseases