Pathophysiological aspects of gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of patients with gastrointestinal manifestations have been reported;wich makes the clinical picture more complex in comparison with the first cases described. Objective: to describe the pathophysiological characteristics of SARS-Cov-2 infection in the digestive system. Methods: a bibliographic review was carried out between April and May 2021. The information search included the PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO databases. The selected published articles totaled 27 bibliographic references. Development: digestive symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea have been described. SARS-CoV-2 has an affinity for the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to which it binds through protein S. The virus envelope fuses with the membranes of intestinal cells, also penetrates the cytoplasm of the cells of the digestive system and there it synthesizes proteins and viral RNA. Conclusions: oral, hepatopancreatic and intestinal alterations have been described in the disease, the pathophysiological mechanisms of which are still under study.

Keywords

• covid-19
• infecciones por coronavirus
• diarrea
• disgeusia
• sistema digestivo
• vómitos