Clinical Manifestations of the Gastrointestinal System in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Kharizmatika Kharizmatika (Universitas Hang Tuah)
Judya Sukmana (Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Indonesia)
Roostantia Indrawati (Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Indonesia)
Christian Bambang Sulistio (Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Indonesia)

MAHESA : Malahayati Health Student Journal
Vol 4, No 10 (2024): Volume 4 Nomor 10 (2024)

ABSTRACT SARS-CoV-2 infection was declared as a pandemic by the WHO since March 11, 2020, with confirmed cases increasing every year. SARS-CoV-2 is one of the varian of coronavirus that has a higher transmission rate, where it is transmitted through infected droplets. SARS-CoV-2 can manifest in the digestive tract. This descriptive study uses a literature study method. Diarrhea was a common symptom of gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Apart from diarrhea, other symptoms are anorexia, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Gender prevalence varies. The average age of patients exposed to COVID-19 was over 50 years with hypertension as the most common comorbidity. SARS-CoV-2 are associated with Gastrointestinal manifestations which binds to ACE2 on gastrointestinal epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection causes an imbalance in the gut microbiota that can trigger secondary infections and multiple organ disorders and affect the severity of COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, ACE2, Gut Microbiota, Gut-Lung Axis