Zhonghua bing li xue za zhi Chinese journal of pathology
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Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi · Dec 2003
[Morphological study of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)].
Seven cases of autopsy from SARS patients are studied to investigate the pathogenesis and the pathologic changes of the major organs. ⋯ Lung is the major organ affected by SARS, demonstrated as diffuse alveolar damage. It is postulated that viral infection induces severe damage of alveolar epithelial and capillary endothelial cells, leads to pulmonary edema, intra-alveolar fibrin deposit, and hyaline membrane formation. Consequently, intra-alveolar organization and alveolar septal fibrosis causes loss of alveolar spaces, eventually, pulmonary fibrosis and atelectasis. The immune system is often affected, and presented as depletion of lymphoid tissue in lymph nodes and spleen. Secondary infection is a common complication, which should be paid close attention in the management of SARS patients.