COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review
Abstract The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is known to affect several body organs, including the liver. This results from several factors such as direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver, side effects of drug therapy and pre-existing liver diseases. Drug-induced liver injury can result from a range of d...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2022-11-01
|
| Series: | Egyptian Liver Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-022-00230-y |
| _version_ | 1811186943839436800 |
|---|---|
| author | Chinonyerem O. Iheanacho Okechukwu H. Enechukwu |
| author_facet | Chinonyerem O. Iheanacho Okechukwu H. Enechukwu |
| author_sort | Chinonyerem O. Iheanacho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is known to affect several body organs, including the liver. This results from several factors such as direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver, side effects of drug therapy and pre-existing liver diseases. Drug-induced liver injury can result from a range of drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 such as antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, herbal medications and vaccines. Metabolism of most drugs occurs in the liver, and this leaves the liver at risk of medication-induced liver damage. Being among pathologies from the disease, COVID-19 liver injury presents with abnormally high liver-related enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase. It is reversible, generally not severe and occurs more mildly in children. However, COVID-19-associated liver injury is worsened by chronic liver diseases and vice versa. There is a high risk of abnormal ALT and AST, in-hospital liver injury and prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding in COVID-19 patients with previously existing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. COVID-19-associated liver injury also appears to be severe and significantly associated with life-threatening COVID-19 and mortality in persons with a history of liver transplant. Where necessary, only supportive management is usually indicated. This paper evaluates the aetiology, clinical and laboratory features, occurrence and management of COVID-19-associated liver injury. It also elaborated on the role of drug therapy in the development of COVID-19 liver injury. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:54:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-44d6e6deb5e7401bb610699db322711c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-6226 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T13:54:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Egyptian Liver Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-44d6e6deb5e7401bb610699db322711c2022-12-22T04:20:24ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Liver Journal2090-62262022-11-011211810.1186/s43066-022-00230-yCOVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a reviewChinonyerem O. Iheanacho0Okechukwu H. Enechukwu1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of CalabarPharmacy Department, General Hospital AbohAbstract The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is known to affect several body organs, including the liver. This results from several factors such as direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver, side effects of drug therapy and pre-existing liver diseases. Drug-induced liver injury can result from a range of drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 such as antiviral drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, herbal medications and vaccines. Metabolism of most drugs occurs in the liver, and this leaves the liver at risk of medication-induced liver damage. Being among pathologies from the disease, COVID-19 liver injury presents with abnormally high liver-related enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase. It is reversible, generally not severe and occurs more mildly in children. However, COVID-19-associated liver injury is worsened by chronic liver diseases and vice versa. There is a high risk of abnormal ALT and AST, in-hospital liver injury and prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding in COVID-19 patients with previously existing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. COVID-19-associated liver injury also appears to be severe and significantly associated with life-threatening COVID-19 and mortality in persons with a history of liver transplant. Where necessary, only supportive management is usually indicated. This paper evaluates the aetiology, clinical and laboratory features, occurrence and management of COVID-19-associated liver injury. It also elaborated on the role of drug therapy in the development of COVID-19 liver injury.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-022-00230-yCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2Liver injuryDrug inducedPre-existing liver diseasesClinical features |
| spellingShingle | Chinonyerem O. Iheanacho Okechukwu H. Enechukwu COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review Egyptian Liver Journal COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Liver injury Drug induced Pre-existing liver diseases Clinical features |
| title | COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review |
| title_full | COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review |
| title_short | COVID-19-associated liver injury, role of drug therapy and management: a review |
| title_sort | covid 19 associated liver injury role of drug therapy and management a review |
| topic | COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Liver injury Drug induced Pre-existing liver diseases Clinical features |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43066-022-00230-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chinonyeremoiheanacho covid19associatedliverinjuryroleofdrugtherapyandmanagementareview AT okechukwuhenechukwu covid19associatedliverinjuryroleofdrugtherapyandmanagementareview |