COVID-19 and gastrointestinal involvement: A brief review

Aneliya Lazarova Gotseva 1 and Liliya Strashimirova Grahlyova 2, *

1 Laboratory of Virology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1606, 3 Georgi Sofiiski str.
2 Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology, Military Medical, Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1606, 3 Georgi Sofiiski str.
 
Review Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 29(03), 352-355.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2024.29.3.0498
Publication history: 
Received on 15 November 2024; revised on 29 December 2024; accepted on 31 December 2024
 
Abstract: 
COVID-19 is an infectious disease with a large-spectrum clinical presentation. Many extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 have been described. It has been found that SARS-CoV-2, may affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may lead to an alteration of the gut microbiota. Еnterocytes have been shown to be a major target of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 enters the target cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor on the cell surface, highly expressed in the glandular cells of GI tracts and indirectly or directly damage the digestive system. The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms ranged, with nearly half of patients experiencing at least one symptom. Diarrhea to be the most commonly reported in children and adults. Studies reveal that, SARS-CoV-2 RNA may remain detectable in the stool even after negative results from respiratory samples.
 
Keywords: 
COVID-19; Gastrointestinal involvement; Digestive symptoms; Stool samples
 
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