Title of article :
Coronaviruses and gastrointestinal symptoms: an old liaison for the new SARS-CoV-2
Author/Authors :
Caio, Giacomo Department of Morphology - Surgery and Experimental Medicine - University of Ferrara - Ferrara, Italy , Lungaro, Lisa Department of Morphology - Surgery and Experimental Medicine - University of Ferrara - Ferrara, Italy , Cultrera, Rosario Department of Morphology - Surgery and Experimental Medicine - University of Ferrara - Ferrara, Italy , De Giorgio, Roberto Department of Morphology - Surgery and Experimental Medicine - University of Ferrara - Ferrara, Italy , Volta, Umberto Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - University of Bologna - Bologna, Italy
Abstract :
The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has caused a pandemic with more than 600,000 deaths to date. It is caused by the severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the beta-coronavirus genus that also includes SARS and the Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS). While the typical presentation is given by respiratory symptoms and fever, some
patients also report gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Several studies have identified
the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in stool specimens of infected patients, and its viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is
highly expressed in enterocytes. In this short review, we report the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in infected patients and
suggest possible implications for disease management, transmission, and infection control.
Keywords :
Vomiting , Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 , COVID-19 , Diarrhea , Gastrointestinal Presentation , Nausea , SARS-CoV-2
Journal title :
Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench
