Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2

Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has recently become the number one problem affecting global health. Coronavirus disease 2019 is principally recognized by its respiratory manifestations; however, recent studies have shown an increasing number of patients with gastrointestinal complaints like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infects the gastrointestinal tract via the angiotensin-converting enzyme II receptor, expressed on the ileum and colon enterocytes. Usually, gastrointestinal symptoms manifest later than respiratory symptoms. Concern for fecal-oral transmission has been raised following the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in fecal samples for prolonged periods, even after respiratory clearance. In this review, we summarize the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on the gastrointestinal system.