Many organs are infected by the Coronavirus

After the beginning in connection with the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, especially damage to the lungs as a typical consequence of infection have been discussed, it has been shown that the viruses infect not only the respiratory tract. In a recent study, researchers were able to demonstrate by the end of the University hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is the Virus in numerous organs and organ systems. In addition to the respiratory tract especially the kidneys are affected greatly.

The Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is not a pure respiratory virus, but affects as a “multi-organ virus” numerous institutions, reported the research team led by Professor Dr. Tobias B. Huber from the UKE. The current study results showed that the Virus is found in, for example, in the kidney, where it could direct to frequent damage in the case of a COVID-19 infection is responsible. Were published the results of the study in the journal “New England Journal of Medicine”.

Evidence in a number of organs

In the context of the study, the research team analysed by Professor Huber, the autopsy results of 27 of a COVID-19 infection deceased. The scientists were able to demonstrate to researchers, the Virus not only in the lungs and in the throat, but also in the heart, in the liver, in the brain and in the kidneys. “The highest concentrations of the Virus per cell found in the respiratory tract, followed by kidney, heart, liver, brain and blood”, according to the UKE of the results.

Statement for the broad spectrum of symptoms?

That SARS-CoV relates to 2 a number of bodies, could be, according to Professor Huber is also an explanation for the sometimes wide symptom spectrum at COVID-19 (disease caused by SARS-CoV-2). “After the breath, especially the kidneys of SARS to be infested with pathogens in the wing-CoV-2 -. This is the likely explanation for the fact that very many of the patients abnormalities in the urine,“ says Professor Huber more.

High Rate of acute renal failure

Also, the high viral load could explain in the kidney may be the extremely high Rate of up to 50 percent of acute kidney failure in COVID-19-infections, says Professor Huber. As a consequence of these results, urine controls in the case of a COVID-19 infection as a matter of Routine would be recommended to the laboratory, now at the beginning of the disease.

A result of diseases of individual organ systems

“Further studies of the UKE in cooperation with other German clinics will show if the urine changes as an early warning system for heavy-COVID-serve 19-gradients,” report the researchers. In addition, you’ll diseases, also in the aftercare very much careful to follow care individual organ systems.

Connection with pre-existing conditions

Furthermore, the researchers found that there is a correlation between the simultaneous Existence of several diseases (Co-morbidity) and the virus infestation of organs. This could be an additional factor for the large influence of pre-existing conditions on mortality, the research team of the UKE already in a previous study had demonstrated. All obduzierten deceased in the study were pre-existing conditions, such as, for example, the cardiovascular system or the lungs to determine. (fp)