Testicular pathology in fatal COVID‐19: A descriptive autopsy study

• DOI: 10.1111/andr.13073
• Publication Date: 2021-07-02T02:00:37Z
• Authors: Amaro N. Duarte‐Neto; Thiago A. Teixeira; Elia G. Caldini; Cristina T. Kanamura; Michele S. Gomes‐...; Angela B. G. dos ...; Renata A. A. Mont...; João R. R. Pinho; Thais Mauad; Luiz F. F. da Silva; Paulo H. N. Saldiva; Marisa Dolhnikoff; Katia R. M. Leite; Jorge Hallak
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Forensic Pathology

Abstract Background Multi‐organ damage is a common feature of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, going beyond the initially observed pneumonia. Evidence that testis also compromised growing. Objective To describe pathological findings in testes from fatal cases COVID‐19, including detection viral particles and antigens, inflammatory cell subsets. Materials methods Postmortem testicular samples were obtained by percutaneous puncture 11 deceased men examined reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for RNA light electron microscopy (EM) SARS‐CoV‐2. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) SARS‐CoV‐2 N‐protein lymphocytic histiocytic markers was performed. Results Eight patients had mild interstitial orchitis, composed mainly CD68+ TCD8+ cells. Fibrin thrombi detected five cases. All presented congestion, edema, thickening tubular basal membrane, decreased Leydig Sertoli cells with reduced spermatogenesis, strong expression vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM) vessels. IHC SARS‐Cov‐2 antigen cells, spermatogonia, fibroblasts all EM cytoplasm fibroblasts, endothelium, spermatids, epithelial rete four cases, while RT‐PCR three Discussion conclusion The COVID‐19‐associated lesion revealed combination changes, membrane thickening, scarcity, spermatogenesis associated local infection may impair hormonal function fertility men.