Spanish Study to Analyze the Histopathological, Ultrastructural and Microbiological Findings Obtained in Autopsies of Patients Who Died Due to COVID-19

Observational, Multicenter, Cross-sectional Study at National Level to Analyze the Histopathological, Ultrastructural and Microbiological Findings Obtained in Autopsies of Patients Who Died Due to COVID-19 in Spain

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04772833

Enrollment

Registered

2021-02-26

Start date

2020-06-05

Completion date

2021-12-31

Last updated

2021-02-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Covid19

Keywords

COVID-19, Autopsy, Histopathological findings, Ultrastructural findings, Microbiological findings

Brief summary

The aim of this study is prospectively analyzing the histopathological, ultrastructural and microbiological findings from autopsies performed on patients with COVID-19.

Detailed description

The aim of this study is to increase the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of the COVID-19 disease, that will allow us to improve the design of clinical and therapeutic strategies against the disease. This is the tool to improve the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. The performance of systematic and regulated autopsies can help to manage it. However, despite the need to generate this knowledge and the strong impact on mortality caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the evidence from post-mortem studies is very limited.

Interventions

OTHERAutopsy

The subjects deceased will undergo an autopsy to analyze the histopathological, ultrastructural and microbiological findings, related to the COVID-19 disease.

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR. * Death related to active infection by COVID-19 or its complications. * Informed consent given by the subject's relatives to perform an autopsy according to the autonomous community requirements. * Informed consent given by the subject's relatives for the inclusion of samples in the Biobank.

Exclusion criteria

* COVID-19 infection diagnosed exclusively by serological methods. * Advanced or terminal chronic disease. * Inadequate security level of the autopsy room.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Histopathological and ultra-structural findings	End of autopsy	To analyze the histopathological and ultra-structural findings obtained in complete and systematic autopsies of patients who died due to COVID-19.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Molecular characterization	End of autopsy	To analyze the presence and molecular characterization of COVID-19 in the different organs obtained in autopsies of patients deceased by COVID-19.
Hidden pulmonary superinfections	End of autopsy	To evaluate the frequency of hidden pulmonary superinfections (bacterial and fungal disease) in patients who died due to COVID-19.
Histopathological / ultra-structural findings and clinical / biological expression correlation	End of autopsy	To correlate the histopathological and ultra-structural findings obtained in autopsies with the clinical and biological expression of patients who died due to COVID-19.

Countries

Spain

Contacts

Primary ContactAntonio Rivero Román, MD

ariveror@gmail.com0034671596070

Backup ContactMaría C Romero

mcarmen.romero@imibic.org0034671596070

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026