SARS-CoV-2 identified by transmission electron microscopy in lymphoproliferative and ischaemic intestinal lesions of COVID-19 patients with acute abdominal pain: two case reports

• DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01905-3
• Publication Date: 2021-08-26T16:03:01Z
• Authors: Albert Martin-Car...; Josep Lloreta Trull; Raquel Albero-Gon...; Marta Paraira Beser; Xavier Andújar; Pablo Ruiz-Ramirez; Jaume Tur-Martínez; Carme Ferrer; José Angel De Mar...; Anna Pérez-Madrigal; Laura Goiburú Gon...; Jorge Espinós Perez; Maria Esteve
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Limfomes; SARS-CoV-2; Intestins -- Malalties; Ischaemic colitis; Microscòpia electrònica de transmissió; COVID-19; Endothelial Cells; Case Report; RC799-869; Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology; Malalties intestinals; Colitis; COVID-19 (Malaltia); Abdominal Pain; 3. Good health; Intestinal lymphoma; 03 medical and health sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Case report; Humans; Lymphomas; Intestinal diseases; Transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 may produce intestinal symptoms that are generally mild, with a small percentage of patients developing more severe symptoms. The involvement in the physiopathology bowel damage is poorly known. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) useful tool provides an understanding invasiveness, replication and dissemination body cells but information outside respiratory tract very limited. We report two cases complications (intestinal lymphoma ischaemic colitis) which presence tissue was confirmed by TEM. These first reported literature persistence demonstrated TEM after COVID 19 recovery nasopharyngeal clearance. Case presentation During pandemic peak (1st March–30th April 2020) 932 were admitted Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa due to COVID-19, 41 (4.4%) required cross-sectional imaging techniques assess abdominal pain six them (0.64%) surgical resection. these patients. case presented as ileocaecal inflammatory mass turned be B-cell lymphoma. Viral particles found cytoplasm endothelial damaged mucosa. In situ hybridization negative tumour cells, thus ruling out oncogenic role for virus. remained 6 months clearance, suggesting latent infection. second patient had colitis perforation also identified cells. Conclusions Severe associated COVID-19 uncommon. cases, causal damage.