Renal histopathologic characteristics of Covid-19 deaths in Cuba

Authors

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, histopathology, kidney.

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19, produced by SARS-CoV-2, also affected renal tissue.

Objective: To identify the acute and chronic histopathological characteristics of the kidney and their relationship with age in deceased patients with COVID-19.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study of the histopathological characteristics of renal tissue in 657 deceased by COVID-19, during April 2020 to April 2022, was carried out. Fragments were taken through minimally invasive autopsies. In addition, histochemistry techniques were performed and evaluated by five pathologists.

Results: Male sex predominated (55.9 %). Histopathological findings included moderate to severe acute tubular necrosis (72.4 %), non-isometric vacuolization of tubular epithelial cells (68.0 %), congestion (60.6 %), hemosiderin in tubules (25.3 %), protein droplets (42.3 %), thrombi in glomerular capillaries (10.0 %) and sickled red blood cells (4.7 %). Diabetic nephropathy was observed in 9.1 % and end-stage kidney in 6.2 %. Tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and benign nephroangiosclerosis were found to be more frequent in those older than 60 years.

Conclusions: Acute tubular damage predominated in COVID-19 decedents. There was an underdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease. Histopathologic findings of renal tissue of COVID-19 decedents were a valuable contribution to the knowledge of this disease.

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Author Biographies

Laura López-Marín, Instituto de Nefrología "Dr. Abelardo Buch"

Especialista 1ero y 2do grado Anatomía Patológica, Investigador auxiliar, Profesor auxiliar, Jefe de Departamento de Patología del Instituto de Nefrología

Virginia Capó de Paz, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí"

Especialista 1ero y 2do grado Anatomía Patológica, Doctor Ciencias Médicas, Profesora e Investigadora Titular, Especialista de Segundo Grado en Anatomía Patológica, Profesora Consultante

Teresita Montero González, Hospital Militar Central "Luis Díaz Soto"

Doctor Ciencias Médicas, Profesora e Investigadora Titular, Máster en Ciencias de la Educación Superior, Especialista de Segundo Grado en Anatomía Patológica, Profesora Consultante

José Domingo Hurtado de Mendoza Amat, Hospital Militar Central "Luis Díaz Soto"

Doctor Ciencias Médicas, Profesor e Investigador Titular, Máster en Ciencias de la Educación Superior, Especialista de Segundo Grado en Anatomía Patológica, Profesor Consultante

Licet González Fabian, Instituto de Gastroenterología

Especialista 1ero y 2do grado Anatomía Patológica, Investigador auxiliar, Profesor auxiliar

Raúl Herrera Valdés, Instituto de Nefrología "Dr. Abelardo Buch"

Doctor Ciencias Médicas, Profesor e Investigador Titular, Especialista de Segundo Grado en Nefrología, Profesor Consultante

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Published

2025-04-14

How to Cite

1.
López-Marín L, Capó de Paz V, Montero González T, Hurtado de Mendoza Amat JD, González Fabian L, Herrera Valdés R. Renal histopathologic characteristics of Covid-19 deaths in Cuba. Rev Cubana Inv Bioméd [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 14 [cited 2025 Jul. 30];44. Available from: https://revibiomedica.sld.cu/index.php/ibi/article/view/3286

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Vol. 44 (2025): publicación continua

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