RT Journal Article
T1 Primary leptomeningeal histiocytic lymphoproliferative disorder associated with SARS-CoV-2 brain infection in k18-hACE2 mouse: a case report
A1 Porras, Néstor
A1 Sánchez Morales, Lidia
A1 Pérez Sancho, Marta
A1 Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José
A1 Rodríguez Bertos, Antonio Manuel
AB Background            Histiocytic proliferative disorders in the central nervous system are rare, and their potential association with viral infections remains largely unexplored. This case is relevant because it suggests a potential interaction between SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion and tumor development, providing insights into how viral infections might influence oncogenesis.            Case presentation            A 4.5-month-old male k18-hACE-2 mouse, part of an experimental study of SARS-CoV-2, displayed a small mass in leptomeningeal area composed by neoplastic round cells. This process is associated with typical acute inflammatory and neurodegenerative lesions according to viral neuroinvasion. Histopathology revealed a well-demarcated tumor composed of lymphoblasts and intermixed with abundant histiocytic-like cells. Immunohistochemistry showed high expression of Iba-1 in histiocytes but negative PAX5, CD3 and IRF-4 labeling. Due to the critical role of PAX-5 in maintaining B-cell function, its reduction or inactivation may favor this loss of identity and differentiation to macrophages, which supports the possibility of a lymphoma undergoing transdifferentiation into a histiocytic/dendritic cells neoplasm. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 was detected within the tumor histiocytes and adjacent neurons, raising questions about potential interactions between viral infection and tumor development.              Conclusions            While the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain, this finding highlights the need for further investigation into the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection and oncogenesis. This case represents the first report of a primary brain histiocytic lymphoproliferative disorder associated with SARS-CoV-2 in k18-hACE2 mouse.
PB BMC. Springer Nature
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124550
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124550
LA eng
NO Porras, N., Sánchez-Morales, L., Pérez-Sancho, M., Domínguez, L., & Rodríguez-Bertos, A. (2025). Primary leptomeningeal histiocytic lymphoproliferative disorder associated with SARS-CoV-2 brain infection in k18-hACE2 mouse: a case report. Laboratory animal research, 41(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42826-025-00256-4
NO Authors’ contributions Conceptualization: NPG, LSM, ARB; Funding acquisition: LD, ARB; Investigation: NPG, LSM; Methodology: MPS, LD, ARB; Project administration: MPS, LD, ARB; Resources: LD, ARB; Supervision: LD, ARB; Visualization: NPG; Writing - original draft: NPG, LSM; and Writing - review & editing: MPS, LD, ARB.
NO European Commission
NO Comunidad de Madrid
NO Universidad Complutense- Banco Santander
DS Docta Complutense
RD 25 feb 2026