Project description:The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV,-2 has continued to progress, and increasing information is becoming available about the incidence of digestive symptoms as well as abnormal liver-associated enzymes in patients who are infected. These are postulated to be related to the virus's use of ACE-2 receptors located on certain intestinal cells, cholangiocytes, and hepatocytes. This brief review summarizes the available limited data on digestive manifestations of COVID-19. A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients can present initially with only digestive complaints. The most common digestive symptoms are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Liver-related transaminases are elevated in a substantial proportion of patients, although generally only mildly elevated. Currently there is no firm evidence to suggest that severity of digestive symptoms corresponds to severity of COVID-19 clinical course, however, more severe alterations in liver enzymes may correlate with worse clinical course. Given use of antiviral and antibacterial agents in sicker patients, drug-induced liver injury cannot be ruled out either in these cases. Although viral RNA can be detected in stool, it is unclear whether fecal-oral transmission can be achieved by the virus. As further data becomes available, our understanding of the digestive manifestations of COVID-19 will continue to evolve.
Project description:BackgroundThe latest novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic shows a significant health concern. We aimed to study the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among COVID-19 Egyptian patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out on 860 patients with COVID-19 infection classified according to Ministry of Health Program (MOHP) into three groups (280 patients with mild infection, 258 patients with moderate disease and 322 patients with severe disease). All patients were subjected to medical history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, high-resolution computed tomography chest (HRCT chest) and other investigations when needed in some patients e.g., upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdomino-pelvic ultrasound and ECHO.ResultsGastro-intestinal symptoms were present in 27.2% of the studied patients. The most common reported GIT symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal/gastric pain, followed by nausea. GIT symptoms presence was significantly higher in severe cases in comparison to mild or moderate cases. C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and creatinine were significantly associated with the presence of GI symptoms.ConclusionsGI symptoms are prevalent among COVID-19 patients, the most common were vomiting and diarrhea and were associated with COVID-19 severity.
Project description:There are few and inconsistent data focusing on gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations and liver injury in China's early stage of COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we research the prevalence and role of GI symptoms and liver injury in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan during the disease's first outbreak. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study in a non-ICU unit in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 patients were consecutively admitted from 23 February 2020 to 5 April 2020. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved and analyzed throughout the disease course. A total of 93 patients were enrolled, including 45.2% moderate, 54.8% severe, and 2.2% critical type patients. 69.9% of patients had at least one GI symptom; if excluding hyporexia/anorexia, 49.5% of patients showed at least one GI symptom. The incidence rate of hyporexia/anorexia, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, abdominal discomfort/pain, and elevated liver enzymes were 67.7, 29.0, 28.0, 21.5, and 23.7%, respectively. Patients with GI symptoms or elevated liver enzymes have a higher risk of severe type disease than patients without GI symptoms or elevated liver enzymes (67.7 vs. 25.0%, p < 0.001; 77.3 vs. 47.9%, p = 0.016, respectively), and experienced longer disease duration. In multivariate analysis, hyporexia/anorexia was confirmed as an independent predictive factor of severe type disease (odds ratio: 5.912; 95% confidence interval: 2.247-15.559; p < 0.001). In conclusion, in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, GI symptoms and elevated liver enzymes are common throughout the disease course, and associated with severer disease and longer disease duration.
Project description:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused one of the worst public health crises in modern history. Even though severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 primarily affects the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal manifestations are well described in literature. This review will discuss the epidemiology, virology, manifestations, immunosuppressant states, and lessons learned from COVID-19. Observations: At the time of writing, COVID-19 had infected more than 111 million people and caused over 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Multiple medical comorbidities including obesity, pre-existing liver condition and the use of proton pump inhibitor have been described as risk factor for severe COVID-19. COVID-19 most frequently causes diarrhea (12.4%), nausea/vomiting (9%) and elevation in liver enzymes (15%-20%). The current data does not suggest that patients on immunomodulators have a significantly increased risk of mortality from COVID-19. The current guidelines from American Gastroenterological Association and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases do not recommend pre-emptive changes in patients on immunosuppression if the patients have not been infected with COVID-19. Conclusions and relevance: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a change in structure and shape of gastroenterology departmental activities. Endoscopy should be performed only when necessary and with strict protective measures. Online consultations in the form of telehealth services and home drug deliveries have revolutionized the field.
Project description:Patients suffering from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can develop neurological sequelae, such as headache, neuroinflammatory or cerebrovascular disease. These conditions - here termed Neuro-COVID - are more frequent in patients with severe COVID-19. To understand the etiology of these neurological sequelae, we utilized single-cell sequencing and examined the immune cell profiles from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Neuro-COVID patients compared to patients with non-inflammatory and autoimmune neurological diseases or with viral encephalitis. The CSF of Neuro-COVID patients exhibited an expansion of dedifferentiated monocytes and of exhausted CD4+ T cells. Neuro-COVID CSF leukocytes featured an enriched interferon signature; however, this was less pronounced than in viral encephalitis. Repertoire analysis revealed broad clonal T cell expansion and curtailed interferon response in severe compared to mild Neuro-COVID patients. Collectively, our findings document the CSF immune compartment in Neuro-COVID patients and suggest compromised antiviral responses in this setting.
Project description:BackgroundGastrointestinal and sensory manifestations (GSMs) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect food intake, resulting in malnutrition and poor outcomes. We characterized the impact of GSMs and oral nutrition supplementation on energy-protein intake (EPI) and hospital discharge in adult patients with COVID-19.MethodsPatients from two hospitals were enrolled (n = 357). We recorded the presence and type of GSM at admission, estimated energy requirements (EER) and the EPI based on regular food intake (plate diagram sheets) during hospital stays. Patients not achieving 60% of their EER from food over 2 consecutive days received oral nutrition supplementation (ONS) with a high-energy-protein oral drink.ResultsMost patients (63.6%) presented with GSMs at admission. Anorexia was the most common manifestation (44%). Patients with anorexia or more than one GSMs were more likely to not achieve 60% EER on the first day of follow-up and to require the ONS intervention (P ≤ 0.050). Prevalence of at least one GSM was higher in patients who did not achieve hospital discharge than in patients who achieved it (74.2% vs 54.6%, P = 0.038). The patients requiring ONS (26.9%) demonstrated good adherence to the intervention (79.3%), achieved their EER during 95.7% of the supplementation time, and presented with hospital discharge rates similar to patients not requiring ONS (92.2% vs 91.9%, respectively; P = 1.000).ConclusionsGSM were prevalent in COVID-19 and it impaired EER attendance and patient recovery. ONS was well-tolerated, aided EER attendance, and potentially facilitated hospital discharge.
Project description:Background and aimThis review investigates the role of gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations in COVID-19, particularly with regard to the prevalence of isolated gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library for COVID-19 publications from 1 December 2019 to 18 May 2020. We included any study that reported the presence of GI symptoms in a sample of >5 COVID-19 patients. Data collection and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Where ≥3 studies reported data sufficiently similar to allow calculation of a pooled prevalence, we performed random effects meta-analysis.ResultsThis review included 17 776 COVID-19 patients from 108 studies. Isolated GI symptoms only occurred in 1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0-6%) of patients. GI symptoms were reported in 20% (95% CI 15-24%) of patients. The most common were anorexia (21%, 95% CI 15-27%), diarrhea (13%, 95% CI 11-16%), nausea or vomiting (8%, 95% CI 6-11%), and abdominal pain (4%, 95% CI 2-6%). Transaminase elevations were present in 24% (95% CI 17-31%) of patients. Higher prevalence of GI symptoms were reported in studies published after 1st April, with prevalence of diarrhea 16% (95% CI 13-20), nausea or vomiting 12% (95% CI 8-16%), and any GI symptoms 24% (95% CI 18-34%). GI symptoms were associated with severe COVID-19 disease (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.2), but not mortality (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.52-1.54).ConclusionsPatients with isolated GI symptoms may represent a small but significant portion of COVID-19 cases. When testing resources are abundant, clinicians should still consider testing patients with isolated GI symptoms or unexplained transaminase elevations for COVID-19. More recent studies estimate higher overall GI involvement in COVID-19 than was previously recognized.
Project description:Cardiac involvement has been reported in patients with COVID-19, which may be reflected by electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Two COVID-19 cases in our report exhibited different ECG manifestations as the disease caused deterioration. The first case presented temporary SIQIIITIII morphology followed by reversible nearly complete atrioventricular block, and the second demonstrated ST-segment elevation accompanied by multifocal ventricular tachycardia. The underlying mechanisms of these ECG abnormalities in the severe stage of COVID-19 may be attributed to hypoxia and inflammatory damage incurred by the virus.
Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence and prognosis of digestive system involvement, including gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury, in patients with COVID-19 remains largely unknown. We aimed to quantify the effects of COVID-19 on the digestive system.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published between Jan 1, 2020, and April 4, 2020. The websites of WHO, CDC, and major journals were also searched. We included studies that reported the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 and the prevalence of gastrointestinal findings in infected patients, and excluded preprints, duplicate publications, reviews, editorials, single case reports, studies pertaining to other coronavirus-related illnesses, and small case series (<10 cases). Extracted data included author; date; study design; country; patient demographics; number of participants in severe and non-severe disease groups; prevalence of clinical gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and belching; and digestive system comorbidities including liver disease and gastrointestinal diseases. Raw data from studies were pooled to determine effect estimates.FindingsWe analysed findings from 35 studies, including 6686 patients with COVID-19, that met inclusion criteria. 29 studies (n=6064) reported gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 at diagnosis, and the pooled prevalence of digestive system comorbidities was 4% (95% CI 2-5; range 0-15; I2=74%). The pooled prevalence of digestive symptoms was 15% (10-21; range: 2-57; I2=96%) with nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite being the three most common symptoms. The pooled prevalence of abnormal liver functions (12 studies, n=1267) was 19% (9-32; range 1-53; I2=96%). Subgroup analysis showed patients with severe COVID-19 had higher rates of abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR] 7·10 [95% CI 1·93-26·07]; p=0·003; I2=0%) and abnormal liver function including increased ALT (1·89 [1·30-2·76]; p=0·0009; I2=10%) and increased AST (3·08 [2·14-4·42]; p<0·00001; I2=0%) compared with those with non-severe disease. Patients in Hubei province, where the initial COVID-19 outbreak occurred, were more likely to present with abnormal liver functions (p<0·0001) compared with those outside of Hubei. Paediatric patients with COVID-19 had a similar prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms to those of adult patients. 10% (95% CI 4-19; range 3-23; I2=97%) of patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms alone without respiratory features. Patients who presented with gastrointestinal system involvement had delayed diagnosis (standardised mean difference 2·85 [95% CI 0·22-5·48]; p=0·030; I2=73%). Patients with gastrointestinal involvement tended to have a poorer disease course (eg, acute respiratory distress syndrome OR 2·96 [95% CI 1·17-7·48]; p=0·02; I2=0%).InterpretationOur study showed that digestive symptoms and liver injury are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19. Increased attention should be paid to the care of this unique group of patients.FundingNone.
Project description:Common symptoms such as dizziness, headache, olfactory dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, etc. in COVID-19 patients have indicated the involvement of the nervous system. However, the exact association of the nervous system with COVID-19 infection is still unclear. Thus, we have conducted a meta-analysis of clinical studies associated with neurological problems in COVID-19 patients. We have searched for electronic databases with MeSH terms, and the studies for analysis were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and quality assessment. The Stats Direct (version 3) was used for the analysis. The pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval of various neurological manifestations reported in the COVID-19 patients was found to be headache 14.6% (12.2-17.2), fatigue 33.6% (29.5-37.8), olfactory dysfunction 26.4% (21.8-31.3), gustatory dysfunction 27.2% (22.3-32.3), vomiting 6.7% (5.5-8.0), nausea 9.8% (8.1-11.7), dizziness 6.7% (4.7-9.1), myalgia 21.4% (18.8-24.1), seizure 4.05% (2.5-5.8), cerebrovascular diseases 9.9% (6.8-13.4), sleep disorders 14.9% (1.9-36.8), altered mental status 17.1% (12.3-22.5), neuralgia 2.4% (0.8-4.7), arthralgia 19.9% (15.3-25.0), encephalopathy 23.5% (14.3-34.1), encephalitis 0.6% (0.2-1.3), malaise 38.3% (24.7-52.9), confusion 14.2% (6.9-23.5), movement disorders 5.2% (1.7-10.4), and Guillain-Barre syndrome 6.9% (2.3-13.7). However, the heterogeneity among studies was found to be high. Various neurological manifestations related to the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) are associated with COVID-19 patients.