RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 SARS-CoV-2 detection in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from surgical resection of tongue squamous cell carcinoma JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 754 OP 757 DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2020-206635 VO 73 IS 11 A1 Guerini-Rocco, Elena A1 Taormina, Sergio Vincenzo A1 Vacirca, Davide A1 Ranghiero, Alberto A1 Rappa, Alessandra A1 Fumagalli, Caterina A1 Maffini, Fausto A1 Rampinelli, Cristiano A1 Galetta, Domenico A1 Tagliabue, Marta A1 Ansarin, Mohssen A1 Barberis, Massimo YR 2020 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/73/11/754.abstract AB In the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, pathologists can be exposed to infection handling surgical specimens. Guidelines related to safety procedures in the laboratory have been released. However, there is a lack of studies performed on biopsy and surgical resection specimens. Here we report the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from surgical resection of tongue squamous cell carcinoma of a patient who developed COVID-19 postsurgery. RNA of SARS-CoV-2 strain was detected in the tumour and the normal submandibular gland samples using real-time PCR-based assay. No viral RNA was found in metastatic and reactive lymph nodes. We demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in routine histopathological samples even before COVID-19 disease development. These findings may give important information on the possible sites of infection or virus reservoir, and highlight the necessity of proper handling and fixation before sample processing.