Open AccessCan SARS-CoV-2 be transmitted via faeces?
Author(s) -
Ines B Moura,
Anthony M. Buckley,
Mark H. Wilcox
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
current opinion in gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.165
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1531-7056
pISSN - 0267-1379
DOI - 10.1097/mog.0000000000000794
Subject(s) - feces , transmission (telecommunications) , viral shedding , gastrointestinal tract , virus , covid-19 , virology , biology , coronavirus , disease , immune system , diarrhea , immunology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , gastroenterology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , engineering , biochemistry , electrical engineering
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.