Post-mortem histopathology of pituitary and adrenals of COVID-19 patients.

Authors :: Fitzek A
Gerling M
Püschel K
Saeger W
Source :: Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) [Leg Med (Tokyo)] 2022 Jul; Vol. 57, pp. 102045. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Feb 25.
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: Background: Knowledge of the exact organ manifestation is essential for a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 infection. Here, the histopathological changes in the pituitary and adrenal glands were analyzed.<br />Methods: In this series, the formalin-fixed tissues of 63 pituitary glands and 50 adrenal glands were examined. We performed HE and PAS staining and examined COVID-19 nucleocapsid antibody immunohistochemically in the pituitary glands and adrenals.<br />Results: Histologically, there was no evidence of COVID-19-specific changes in the pituitary and adrenal glands. Large pituitary necrosis may be interpreted as a shock reaction. Independent of infection, we found one T-cell lymphoma, two adenomas, and four Rathke-type cysts in the pituitary glands, and 70% of the adrenal glands showed decreased lipid content and an increase in compact cells as a stress response. In addition, a cortical adenoma in one adrenal gland and small cortical nodules in three adrenal glands were detected independently of COVID-19.<br />Conclusion: Pituitary and adrenal glands do not appear histologically predominant in the course of COVID-19.<br /> (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)