COVID-19 and gastrointestinal involvement: A brief review

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.