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?:abstract
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The pandemic of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused more than 2.5 millions of confirmed cases worldwide, with a mortality rate around 7%. Most cases appear to be mild with the most common symptoms being fever, dry cough, myalgia, fatigue, and dyspnea but can result in more severe disease. Also, there are described gastrointestinal manifestations: anorexia 27%, diarrhea 12%, nausea/vomiting 10%, and abdominal pain 9%. In Chile, diarrhea has been described in 7.3%, and abdominal pain 3.7%. The primary mechanism proposed is the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the enterocytes binding the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is widely distributed among the gastrointestinal tract. Also, SARS-CoV-2 can cause elevated liver enzymes in up to 40% of cases. This alteration could also be caused by the binding to the ACE2 receptor in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Gastrointestinal symptoms and elevated liver enzymes are more frequent in severe cases. Viral RNA has been detected in stools, which may suggest a possible fecal-oral transmission. It is essential to pay attention to gastrointestinal manifestations because they are frequent and more prevalent in severe cases. The presence of viral RNA in stool forces us to take preventive measures faced with a possible mechanism of fecal-oral transmission, mainly in the gastroenterology and endoscopy services.
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