Fig. 2.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 sense strand RNA and spike protein in the myocardium.

Representative images of SARS-CoV-2 sense strand spike protein within the interstitium (E), within blood vessels (A), within dying cardiac myocytes (C), and within percolating myocardial adipose tissue (D). SARS-CoV-2 spike protein expression was detected in blood vessels (B) and inflammatory infiltrates regions (F), where lipofuscin was also detected in the cardiomyocytes. Graphical representation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein expression (H) and replicative strand expression (G) in the hearts of 21 COVID-19 patients. Yellow arrows indicate regions of viral positivity.