Long-Term Dysfunction of Taste Papillae in SARS-CoV-2

BackgroundWe sought to determine whether ongoing taste disturbance in the postacute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 period is associated with persistent virus primary tissue.MethodsWe performed fungiform papillae biopsies on 16 patients who reported lasting more than 6 weeks after molecularly determined severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Then, multiple occasions, we rebiopsied 10 those still had complaints for at least months postinfection. Fungiform obtained from other before March 2020 served as negative controls. We hematoxylin and eosin staining examine morphology immunofluorescence fluorescence situ hybridization look evidence viral infection immune response.ResultsIn all patients, found SARS-CoV-2, accompanying response misshapen or absent buds loss intergemmal neurite fibers. Six normal perception by postinfection were not further biopsied. In remaining 10, was eliminated a seemingly random fashion their papillae, but four still, history, incomplete return preinfection time wrote this report.ConclusionsOur data show temporal association between functional taste, morphology, presence SARS-CoV-2 its immunological changes. (Funded Intramural Research Program/National Institute Aging/National Allergy Infectious Diseases/National Institutes Health; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers NCT03366168 NCT04565067.)