Moura, IB orcid.org/0000-0002-3019-7196, Buckley, AM orcid.org/0000-0002-2790-0717 and Wilcox, MH (2021) Can SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted via faeces? Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. ISSN 0267-1379
Abstract
Purpose of review
COVID-19 patients can present gastrointestinal symptoms, being diarrhoea one of the most frequent, suggesting intestinal health can be impacted by COVID-19. Here, we will discuss whether there is a correlation between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in faeces and diarrhoea, the relevance of gastrointestinal symptoms in disease diagnosis and transmission, and how COVID-19 can impact the gut microbial balance.
Recent findings
SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been reported in faeces or rectal swabs of COVID-19 patients with and without diarrhoea, suggesting faecal shedding can occur independently of gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the presence of the virus in the intestine can persist beyond its presence in the respiratory tract, with some reports suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 in the faeces can be infectious.
COVID-19 can impact the gut microbiota causing an enhancement of biosynthesis pathways that favour the expansion of bacterial pathogens in the inflamed gut, and causing a decline in commensals involved in the human immune response.
Summary
Gastrointestinal symptoms may be the first indication of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 in faeces can potentiate routes of disease transmission, particularly as the high viral loads reported in patients with severe illness suggest virus replication in the intestine may be possible.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. This is an author produced version of an article published in Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | COVID-19, faecal transmission, gastrointestinal symptoms, gut microbiota, SARS-CoV-2 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Food Science and Nutrition (Leeds) > FSN Chemistry and Biochemistry (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 24 Nov 2021 12:05 |
Last Modified: | 08 Oct 2022 00:15 |
Status: | Published online |
Publisher: | Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |
Identification Number: | 10.1097/mog.0000000000000794 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:180503 |