Neuropathology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

SARS-CoV-2 was commonly detected in brains of patients, but investigators found no evidence of damage caused directly by the virus.

Various central nervous system (CNS) symptoms and syndromes are associated with SARS-CoV-2, including anosmia and ageusia, encephalopathy, and ischemic stroke (NEJM JW Neurol Jun 2020 and N Engl J Med 2020; 382:2268; NEJM JW Neurol Jul 2020 and N Engl J Med 2020; 382:e60). The underlying neuropathologic mechanisms of these manifestations are not well understood, including whether SARS-CoV-2 infects the CNS and, if it does, how. From a cohort of 110 patients who died following SARS-CoV-2 infection within a 4-week period, researchers now report a postmortem case series of 43 patients with quantitative RT-PCR–confirmed infection and adequate brain tissue samples for detailed neuropathologic study, independent of clinical presentation or neuror…

Reviewing Author

John C. Probasco, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research Support Genetech/Roche

Editorial BoardsThe Neurohospitalist

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNeurohospitalist Society (President; Chair, Research Subcommittee)

John C. Probasco, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research Support Genetech/Roche

Editorial BoardsThe Neurohospitalist

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNeurohospitalist Society (President; Chair, Research Subcommittee)

Neuropathology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

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Reviewing Author