Hospitalized coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have improved survival to discharge

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic affecting over 192 countries [1]. It is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which enters cells via interactions with angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptors that line the respiratory tract, esophagus, ileum and colon, thereby providing a potential means for fecal-oral transmission [2]. Concurrent gastrointestinal (GI) complaints have been reported in up to 61% of COVID-19 patients [3], and early reports from Asian populations suggested that hospitalized COVID-19 patients with concurrent GI symptoms require more antibiotics and have worse coagulopathy compared to those without GI symptoms [4].

Source: Digestive and Liver Disease - September 3, 2020 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Benjamin D. Renelus, Neil Khoury, Karthik Chandrasekaran, Ezana Bekele, William M. Briggs, Daniel S. Jamorabo Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research