Therapeutically targetable pathophysiological changes in the bodies of Covid-19 victims and post-Covid patients identified by BSL3 autopsies

Infection with Sars-Cov2 induces distinct histopathological changes in the human body.

The main applicant of the project carries out the largest number of autopsies on Covid-19 victims and on post-Covid sufferers in the Stockholm area.

All autopsies are meticulously photo-documented and histological, virological, serological and molecular samples are collected for further analysis. The collected human tissue material is invaluable to establish the patho-mechanism of Covid-19 and post-Covid syndrome.

Our preliminary data firmly established the pathomechanism behind the Covid-19 ARDS induced death, as well as uncovered permanent histological and proteomics changes in the lungs and body fluids of post-Covid individuals.

We have demonstrated the persistence of pulmonary vascular structures that remain in the lungs after recovery from Covid-19.

These vascular structures are results of exuberant neo-angiogenesis and lead to right to left shunt of venous blood causing permanent decrease of oxygen saturation.

We have also shown that tissue damage factors that are highly increased in the pleural effusion of Covid-19 victims can persist in the body fluids of post-Covid patients.

We investigate the effect of the Covid-19 associated flaring of squamous metaplasia, a risk factor for lung cancer development as well as the occurence of tau plaques in the CNS, marker of Alzheimers disease. We also collaborate with leading research groups to provide tissue samples for various projects.