Olfactory transmucosal SARS-CoV-2 invasion as a port of central nervous system entry in individuals with COVID-19

The newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a pandemic respiratory disease. Moreover, thromboembolic events throughout the body, including in the CNS, have been described. Given the neurological symptoms observed in a large majority of individuals with COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 penetrance of the CNS is likely. By various means, we demonstrate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and protein in anatomically distinct regions of the nasopharynx and brain. Furthermore, we describe the morphological changes associated with infection such as thromboembolic ischemic infarction of the CNS and present evidence of SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism. SARS-CoV-2 can enter the nervous…

• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: SFB 958, FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN, 115976
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: EXC 2067/1-390729940, TRR 241, EXC 2067, SFB TRR 274, EXC-2049, SFB 958/Z02, SFB TRR 167, STA 1389/5-1, HE 3130/6-1, 390729940, 390688087, 2067/1-390729940, SFB 958, EXC 2067/1, TRR 274, TRR 130
• DZ
  Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen
• SC
  Stiftung Charité
• FP
  FP7 People: Marie-Curie Actions

  Award: 2012-ITN