Gastrointestinal complications caused by SARS-CoV-2
The sudden and rapid outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has claimed more than 6.3 million lives worldwide as of June 7, 2022. Due to the high rate of genomic mutation, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, which have been categorized as variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI).
Researchers have reported that SARS-CoV-2 affects many organs including the lungs, stomach, and heart of infected patients. In a recent Viruses review article, scientists discuss the gastrointestinal (GI) complications associated with COVID-19.
Study: Gastrointestinal Involvement in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com
GI imaging in COVID-19 patients has provided evidence of a thickening of the bowel wall, mesenteric thickening, fluid-filled large bowels, hyperemia, pneumatosis, and ischemia on rare occasions. Previous studies have also reported that diarrhea caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection might be due to malfunctioning of intestinal ion transporters that cause inflammation and various GI complications.
Importantly, COVID-19 patients suffering from GI symptoms are often more likely to develop severe respiratory distress. Scientists have speculated that inflammatory cytokines could be the possible connection in the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis between the respiratory and digestive systems
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