Aftermath histopathological findings of 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia

BACKGROUND: There have been several studies describing clinicoradiological features of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. It seems that we still should know more about pathological features in the different stages of this infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77 year-old man with cough and respiratory distress was admitted to the intensive care unit. Real-time PCR on nasopharyngeal swab was done for him and it was positive for SARS-CoV-2.He was treated with oxygen therapy, hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic therapy and was discharged from the hospital with brief improvement of clinical symptoms. However, due to persistent dyspnea, the patient was admitted to the hospital again and throracotomy and wedge biopsy were performed for about 3 months from the onset of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Pathological examination revealed diffuse alveolar damage, fibroblastic hyperplasia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and hyaline membrane formation.