Tissue Pathology (Autopsy) Studies

In RECOVER tissue pathology (autopsy) studies, researchers examine the bodies of and small amounts (samples) of blood and tissue from people who have died after having COVID-19. These studies allow researchers to learn about the body’s response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in ways they can’t from studies involving people who are still alive.

What researchers learn from these studies could help answer questions like:

• How can COVID-19 damage different parts of the body?
• How can specific types of damage lead to specific symptoms of Long COVID?
• Which treatments might be effective at repairing those damages and relieving people of their Long COVID symptoms?

To collect tissue samples, RECOVER researchers perform an autopsy, which is a medical examination of a body that occurs after a person dies. During an autopsy, researchers:

• Carefully and respectfully look at the outside of the body of the person who died to find any signs of health problems.
• Do surgery to look at the brain, heart, lungs, and other organs inside the body.
• Collect samples of blood and tissue (biospecimens) from more than 50 parts of the body.
• Look at information in the electronic health record (EHR) of the person who died.

Tissue pathology is the study of tissue samples to learn more about the causes, nature, and effects of a disease. This work involves looking closely at samples, often under a microscope, to detect changes at the level of individual cells.

Only deceased people can be enrolled in the RECOVER tissue pathology (autopsy) study. A deceased person’s next of kin, such as a family member or loved one, gives permission for that person to take part in the study.

Explore information and frequently asked questions about enrolling a loved one in the RECOVER tissue pathology (autopsy) study.

Tissue pathology (autopsy) studies are part of the RECOVER Observational Cohort Studies. The RECOVER Observational Studies Consortium consists of 4 cores that support the operations of the studies. The RECOVER Observational Consortium Steering Committee (OCSC) provides scientific leadership, operational oversight, and program coordination for observational cohort studies.

Read about observational cohort study structure and leadership.