SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver
1
The 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, UK
2
The Jack Copland Centre, Advanced Therapeutics, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, 52 Research Avenue North, Edinburgh EH14 4BE, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2020, 9(6), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060430
Received: 13 May 2020
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Revised: 27 May 2020
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Accepted: 28 May 2020
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Published: 30 May 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Human Pathogens)
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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Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; liver; drug induced liver injury; microthromboses; viral damage
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MDPI and ACS Style
Morgan, K.; Samuel, K.; Vandeputte, M.; Hayes, P.C.; Plevris, J.N. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver. Pathogens 2020, 9, 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060430
AMA Style
Morgan K, Samuel K, Vandeputte M, Hayes PC, Plevris JN. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver. Pathogens. 2020; 9(6):430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060430
Chicago/Turabian StyleMorgan, Katie, Kay Samuel, Martin Vandeputte, Peter C. Hayes, and John N. Plevris. 2020. "SARS-CoV-2 Infection and the Liver" Pathogens 9, no. 6: 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060430
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