Liquid-based cytological and immunohistochemical study of nasopharyngeal swab from persons under investigation for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Abstract
Introduction
We describe cytologic and immunohistologic findings in virus transport medium on cases under investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Methods
Cytologic findings in cases under investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection from one hundred consecutive nasopharyngeal swab were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry and SARSCoV-2 RT-PCR determination were performed to detect virus.
Results
No viral inclusions were noted in squamous cells obtained from virus transport medium. Immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleoprotein showed positivity in squamous cells. No positivity was present in others cellular components.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 predominantly localizes squamous cells in cytology samples of patients with RT-PCR positive determination of SARSCoV-2. The results of the current study support the notion that the nasopharyngeal region is the anatomical station that SARS-CoV-2 infects first, and the infection can lead to the migration of the virus into the lower airways.
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
