Role of gastrointestinal system on transmission and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to pose a significant threat to global health. Primary prevention remains as a major strategy against the pandemic. Current evidence proves that aerosol and droplet-based routes are the main means of transmission of COVID-19 but other ways should be sought in order to prevent possible collateral transmission. The gastrointestinal system may be one such route. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is the target entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. SARS-CoV-2 is able to infect human enterocytes similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome. Herein this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the role of gastrointestinal transmission in transmission and pathophysiology of COVID-19.