An overview of COVID-19 induced gastrointestinal symptoms and liver dysfunction (Preprint)
UNSTRUCTURED The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 beginning in December 2019 has caused widespread devastation to many individuals worldwide. Gastrointestinal manifestations and complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 are some of the less discussed implications of this virus. The initial gastrointestinal symptoms noted in COVID-19 patients are mainly diarrhea, nausea, poor appetite, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, as well as new onset of hepatic injury. Additionally, patients with a prior history of hepatic comorbidities have increased risk of progression to severe COVID-19. Presently, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), serological based tests, and imaging are used to achieve a definitive diagnosis. The current management of COVID-19 is supportive care along with antiviral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy. The use of microbiota transplantation for COVID-19 management is also discussed. The importance of this article is to enlighten the overall understanding of COVID-19 induced gastrointestinal and liver pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis.