Visualizing in deceased COVID-19 patients how SARS-CoV-2 attacks the respiratory and olfactory mucosae but spares the olfactory bulb

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.10.027
• Publication Date: 2021-11-03T12:07:45Z
• Authors: Mona Khan; Seung-Jun Yoo; Marnick Clijsters; Wout Backaert; Arno Vanstapel; Kato Speleman; Charlotte Lietaer; Sumin Choi; Tyler D. Hether; Lukas Marcelis; Andrew Nam; Liuliu Pan; Jason W. Reeves; Pauline Van Bulck; Hai Zhou; Marc Bourgeois; Yves Debaveye; Paul De Munter; Jan Gunst; Mark Jorissen; Katrien Lagrou; Natalie Lorent; Arne Neyrinck; Marijke Peetermans; Dietmar Rudolf Thal; Christophe Vanden...; Joost Wauters; Peter Mombaerts; Laura Van Gerven
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus; Anosmia

Highlights•A postmortem bedside surgical procedure was developed for COVID-19 and control patients•Ciliated cells are the main target cell type SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory mucosa•Sustentacular (non-neuronal) olfactory mucosa•No evidence infection of sensory neurons or bulb parenchymaSummaryAnosmia, loss smell, is a common often sole symptom COVID-19. The onset sequence pathobiological events leading to dysfunction remains obscure. Here, we have harvest endoscopically samples mucosae whole bulbs. Our cohort 85 cases included patients who died few days after with SARS-CoV-2, enabling us catch virus while it still replicating. We found that sustentacular major mucosa. failed find neurons, parenchyma spared as well. Thus, does not appear be neurotropic virus. postulate transient insufficient support from triggers Olfactory would become affected without getting infected.Graphical abstract