Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) showing disseminated aspergillosis, cytomegalovirus reactivation and persistent SARS-COV-2: Case report with autopsy review

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an emerging phenomenon associated with SARS-COV-2 infection (COVID-19) occurring in < 1 % of infected children. MIS-C is characterized by a hyperinflammatory state with excessive cytokine release (‘storm’) leading to hemodynamic compromise and multiorgan failure, with a death rate of ∼2 %. Autopsy examination can play a particularly important role in helping to understand the pathogenesis of MIS-C. Yet, only five autopsy studies have been reported to date. We report a fatal case of MIS-C involving a previously healthy, 5-year-old Thai boy admitted with MIS-C, one month after exposure to SARS-COV-2. While in intensive care, he was found to have a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and despite immunosuppressive treatment for MIS-C, developed shock and died. Multiorgan inflammation was not found at autopsy, implying that the MIS-C had responded to treatment. However, there was disseminated aspergillosis and cytomegalovirus reactivation, attributed to the immunosuppression. SARS-COV-2 virus was also found in multiple organs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported autopsy of an MIS-C patient from Asia, and the first report of aspergillosis in MIS-C. This case underscores that the risks of immunosuppression are also a concern in MIS-C. Although MIS-C is generally considered to be a post-infectious hyperimmune reaction, persistence of SARS-COV-2 is a feature in all autopsies of MIS-C patients reported to date, suggesting a possible role in the pathogenesis, at least in fatal cases.