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Journal of Endocrinological Investigation

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01-01-2022 | SARS-CoV-2 | Rapid Communication

COVID-19 autopsy cases: detection of virus in endocrine tissues

Authors: A. M. Poma, D. Bonuccelli, R. Giannini, E. Macerola, P. Vignali, C. Ugolini, L. Torregrossa, A. Proietti, M. Pistello, A. Basolo, F. Santini, A. Toniolo, F. Basolo

Published in: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Purpose

The SARS-CoV-2 genome has been detected in a variety of human samples including blood, urine, semen, and faeces. However, evidence of virus presence in tissues other than lung are limited.

Methods

We investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in 50 autoptic specimens of endocrine organs from 29 patients who died of COVID-19.

Results

The virus was detected in 25 specimens including ten abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue samples (62%), six testes (67%), and nine thyroid (36%) samples. The analysis of multiple endocrine organ samples obtained from the same patients showed that, in virus-positive cases, the viral genome was consistently detected in all but two matched specimens.

Conclusion

Our findings show that the virus spread into endocrine organs is a common event in severe cases. Further studies should assess the rate of the phenomenon in clinically mild cases. The potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on endocrine functions should be taken into consideration.

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Title: COVID-19 autopsy cases: detection of virus in endocrine tissues
Authors: A. M. Poma
D. Bonuccelli
R. Giannini
E. Macerola
P. Vignali
C. Ugolini
L. Torregrossa
A. Proietti
M. Pistello
A. Basolo
F. Santini
A. Toniolo
F. Basolo
Publication date: 01-01-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Autopsy
Published in: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1720-8386
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-021-01628-y

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