SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver
A novel strain of coronoviridae (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan China in December 2019. Initially, infection presented with a broad spectrum of symptoms which typically included muscle aches, fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via ACE2 receptors which are abundant...
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MDPI AG
2020-05-01
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Series: | Pathogens |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/6/430 |
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author | Katie Morgan Kay Samuel Martin Vandeputte Peter C. Hayes John N. Plevris |
author_facet | Katie Morgan Kay Samuel Martin Vandeputte Peter C. Hayes John N. Plevris |
author_sort | Katie Morgan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | A novel strain of coronoviridae (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan China in December 2019. Initially, infection presented with a broad spectrum of symptoms which typically included muscle aches, fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via ACE2 receptors which are abundant throughout the respiratory tract. However, there is evidence that these receptors are abundant throughout the body, and just as abundant in cholangiocytes as alveolar cells, posing the question of possible direct liver injury. While liver enzymes and function tests do seem to be deranged in some patients, it is questionable if the injury is due to direct viral damage, drug-induced liver injury, hypoxia, or microthromboses. Likely, the injury is multifactoral, and management of infected patients with pre-existing liver disease should be taken into consideration. Ultimately, a vaccine is needed to aid in reducing cases of SARS-CoV-2 and providing immunity to the general population. However, while considering the types of vaccines available, safety concerns, particularly of RNA- or DNA-based vaccines, need to be addressed. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:29:34Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-55d2fdf782df4416ba28f35080412cff |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2076-0817 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T19:29:34Z |
publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Pathogens |
spelling | doaj.art-55d2fdf782df4416ba28f35080412cff2023-11-20T02:17:07ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172020-05-019643010.3390/pathogens9060430SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the LiverKatie Morgan0Kay Samuel1Martin Vandeputte2Peter C. Hayes3John N. Plevris4The University of Edinburgh Hepatology Laboratory, Division of Heath Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UKThe Jack Copland Centre, Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, 52 Research Avenue North, Edinburgh EH14 4BE, UKThe University of Edinburgh Hepatology Laboratory, Division of Heath Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UKThe University of Edinburgh Hepatology Laboratory, Division of Heath Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UKThe University of Edinburgh Hepatology Laboratory, Division of Heath Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor’s Building, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UKA novel strain of coronoviridae (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in Wuhan China in December 2019. Initially, infection presented with a broad spectrum of symptoms which typically included muscle aches, fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells via ACE2 receptors which are abundant throughout the respiratory tract. However, there is evidence that these receptors are abundant throughout the body, and just as abundant in cholangiocytes as alveolar cells, posing the question of possible direct liver injury. While liver enzymes and function tests do seem to be deranged in some patients, it is questionable if the injury is due to direct viral damage, drug-induced liver injury, hypoxia, or microthromboses. Likely, the injury is multifactoral, and management of infected patients with pre-existing liver disease should be taken into consideration. Ultimately, a vaccine is needed to aid in reducing cases of SARS-CoV-2 and providing immunity to the general population. However, while considering the types of vaccines available, safety concerns, particularly of RNA- or DNA-based vaccines, need to be addressed.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/6/430SARS-CoV-2COVID-19liverdrug induced liver injurymicrothrombosesviral damage |
spellingShingle | Katie Morgan Kay Samuel Martin Vandeputte Peter C. Hayes John N. Plevris SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver Pathogens SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 liver drug induced liver injury microthromboses viral damage |
title | SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver |
title_full | SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver |
title_fullStr | SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver |
title_full_unstemmed | SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver |
title_short | SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver |
title_sort | sars cov 2 infection and the liver |
topic | SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 liver drug induced liver injury microthromboses viral damage |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/6/430 |
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