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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Main Authors: Katie Morgan, Kay Samuel, Martin Vandeputte, Peter C. Hayes, John N. Plevris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
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.
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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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