Detection of Sars-Cov-2 antigens in thyroid gland showing histopathological features of subacute thyroiditis
Hrvoje Jakovac, Antun Ferenčić, Christophe Stemberger, Bojana Mohar Vitezić, Dražen Cuculić
Abstract
The clinical and laboratory findings of subacute thyroiditis have been repeatedly reported as being associated with acute Sars-Cov-2 infection and post-COVID-19 syndrome. The exact mechanisms and histopathological correlations underlying thyroid involvement remained unresolved, but current insights suggest either direct viral damage, systemic inflammatory reaction, or an autoimmune response as possible noxious effectors. Here we present findings of immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence detection of Sars-Cov-2 viral proteins (spike/S and nucleocapside proteins) in relation to histoarchitectonic changes of autoptic thyroid tissue obtained from patient who deceased from COVID-19.