Characteristic patterns of SARS-CoV-2 on chest CT suggests a hematologic pathway for viral entry into the lung

Abstract

Many SARS-CoV-2 studies have supported the theory that the Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC-2) are the primary portal of entry of the virus into the lung following its brief nasal occupation. However, the theory of inhalational transmission of the virus from the ciliated and goblet nasal cells to the lung parenchyma is not supported by the imaging findings on chest computerized tomography (CT), leading the authors to consider an alternative pathway from the nose to the lung parenchyma that could explain the peripheral, basilar predominant pattern of early disease. Imaging supports that the pulmonary capillaries may be an important vehicle for transmission of the virus and/or associated inflammatory mediators to the lung epithelium.

Keywords: COVID-19; Chest CT; Vascular endothelium.