Fig. 2.

Summary of histopathological features occurring in fatal cases of COVID-19 lung injury. Findings of epithelial, vascular and fibrotic pattern are represented. Note that epithelial damage like viral cytopathic changes, desquamation and reactive hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes, hyaline membrane formation and interstitial inflammatory response have been frequently observed together with findings of vascular damage like capillary congestion, intracapillary microthombosis, alveolar hemorrhage, interstitial and intra-alveolar edema. Furthermore, interstitial fibrous changes, occurring separately or in combination with epithelial and/or vascular injury in a subgroup of patients, are shown. For further details see descriptive text