Pancreatic islets as a SARS-CoV-2 target

Abstract

Aim. The study is aimed at describing pancreatic islets as one of the SARS-CoV-2 targets.Materials and methods. The object of the study was the pancreas. The study involved histological staining.Results and discussion. The autopsy study revealed the signs typical of bilateral viral interstitial pneumonia. Histological examination revealed alveoli with disatelectasis, intra-alveolar edema, hyaline membranes in a part of alveoli. The pancreas histological examination showed hemorrhages, necrotic areas of the islets and detected the following DIC signs: small hyaline thrombi in the heart cavities and large vessels, petechial hemorrhages in the internal organs and adrenal glands, foci of adrenal cortex necrosis with perifocal infiltration (Waterhouse—Friderichsen syndrome); as well as signs of necronephrosis with fibrinoid areas of necrosis in the glomerular capillary network and perivascular lymphoid infiltrates.Conclusion. SARS-CoV-2 was revealed to target human pancreatic islets, where areas of necrosis developed.