COVID-19 in an HIV-infected patient. Lessons learned from an autopsy case

Moshawa Calvin Khaba*, Tshepo Cletus Ngale, Nomandla Madala

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Despite measures put in place to curb the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) across South Africa, there has been a rapid spread which caused extensive morbidity and mortality. Whilst there is currently increased COVID-19 associated death, autopsies on COVID positive individuals are not routinely performed. An autopsy was performed on a 19 years old African patient who was recently diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). He presented with clinical features suggestive of SARS-CoV-2, which he subsequently tested positive for. Important histopathological findings included diffuse alveolar damage and fibrin thrombi. No superimposed infections were noted. The cause of death was attributed to COVID-19. We report the first autopsy case of an HIV-infected individual with COVID-19 as the cause of death.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-246
Number of pages4
JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume101
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Autopsy
  • COVID-19
  • Diffuse alveolar damage
  • Fibrin thrombi
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • SARS-CoV-2

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