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

Highlights

• Autopsies of SARS CoV-2 infection are uncommon due to safety reasons in Africa.

• First autopsy of SARS CoV-2 in a young HIV infected patient without other co-morbidities.

• The role of HIV in SARS-CoV-2 infection is still elusive.

• The histopathological findings in this patient are similar to the non-infected.

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.