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Imam MT, Almalki ZS, Alzahrani AR, Al-Ghamdi SS, Falemban AH, Alanazi IM, Shahzad N, Muhammad Alrooqi M, Jabeen Q, Shahid I. COVID-19 and severity of liver diseases: Possible crosstalk and clinical implications. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110439. [PMID: 37315370 PMCID: PMC10247890 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19-infected individuals and those who recovered from the infection have been demonstrated to have elevated liver enzymes or abnormal liver biochemistries, particularly with preexisting liver diseases, liver metabolic disorders, viral hepatitis, and other hepatic comorbidities. However, possible crosstalk and intricate interplay between COVID-19 and liver disease severity are still elusive, and the available data are murky and confined. Similarly, the syndemic of other blood-borne infectious diseases, chemical-induced liver injuries, and chronic hepatic diseases continued to take lives while showing signs of worsening due to the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, the pandemic is not over yet and is transitioning to becoming an epidemic in recent years; hence, monitoring liver function tests (LFTs) and assessing hepatic consequences of COVID-19 in patients with or without liver illnesses would be of paramount interest. This pragmatic review explores the correlations between COVID-19 and liver disease severity based on abnormal liver biochemistries and other possible mechanisms in individuals of all ages from the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic to the post-pandemic period. The review also alludes to clinical perspectives of such interactions to curb overlapping hepatic diseases in people who recovered from the infection or living with long COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad T Imam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziyad S Almalki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah R Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saeed S Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa H Falemban
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naiyer Shahzad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Qaisar Jabeen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Imran Shahid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Al-Abidiyah, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
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Li H, Li S, Xu P, Wang X, Deng H, Lei Y, Zhong S. Analysis of neutralizing antibodies to COVID-19 inactivated or subunit recombinant vaccines in hospitalized patients with liver dysfunction. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1084646. [PMID: 36742314 PMCID: PMC9889857 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1084646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) response after COVID-19 vaccination after liver dysfunction is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the NAbs response after COVID-19 vaccination in hospitalized patients suffering from liver dysfunction. Methods In this cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up, we enrolled eligible patients with liver dysfunction and healthy volunteers with full-course COVID-19 vaccination. Blood samples were collected for the NAbs testing at the time of admission and after treatment. Multiple regression analysis to assess independent risk factors affecting NAbs response. Results A total of 137 patients and 134 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Both seropositivity (65.7% vs 80.6%, p<0.01) and titer (3.95 vs 4.94 log2 AU/ml, p<0.001) of NAbs in patients were significantly lower than that in HC. The decrease of antibody titer in patients was significantly faster than that in HC. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, males (odds ratio [OR]: 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.46; p<0.001) and severe liver damage (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.71; p<0.01) were significantly associated with reduction of the probability of NAbs seropositivity in the multiple regression analysis. Males (β =-1.18; 95% CI: -1.73,-0.64) and chronic liver diseases (β =-1.45; 95% CI: -2.13, -0.76) were significantly associated with lower NAbs titers. In 26 patients with liver failure, both antibody seropositivity (53.8% vs 84.6%, p<0.05) and titer (3.55 vs 4.32 log2 AU/ml, p<0.001) did not decrease but increased after artificial liver plasmapheresis. Conclusions NAbs response to COVID-19 inactivated or subunit recombinant vaccines was waning in patients with liver dysfunction. Moreover, patients with male sex, severe liver injury and chronic liver diseases have an increased risk of poor antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shiyin Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Lei
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shan Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Xu Y, Yang X, Bian H, Xia M. Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease and coronavirus disease 2019: clinical relationship and current management. Lipids Health Dis 2021; 20:126. [PMID: 34602072 PMCID: PMC8487451 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-021-01564-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). At present, the COVID-19 has been prevalent worldwide for more than a year and caused more than four million deaths. Liver injury was frequently observed in patients with COVID-19. Recently, a new definition of metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was proposed by a panel of international experts, and the relationship between MAFLD and COVID-19 has been actively investigated. Several previous studies indicated that the patients with MAFLD had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 and a tendency to develop severe type of respiratory infection, and others indicated that liver injury would be exacerbated in the patients with MAFLD once infected with COVID-19. The mechanism underlying the relationship between MAFLD and COVID-19 infection has not been thoroughly investigated, and recent studies indicated that multifactorial mechanisms, such as altered host angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor expression, direct viral attack, disruption of cholangiocyte function, systemic inflammatory reaction, drug-induced liver injury, hepatic ischemic and hypoxic injury, and MAFLD-related glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, might jointly contribute to both of the adverse hepatic and respiratory outcomes. In this review, we discussed the relationship between MAFLD and COVID-19 based on current available literature, and summarized the recommendations for clinical management of MAFLD patients during the pandemic of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hua Bian
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Mingfeng Xia
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Fudan Institute for Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Alqahtani SA, Barry M, Memish Z, Hashim A, Alfares MA, Alghamdi SA, Al-Hamoudi WK, Al-Judaibi B, Alhazzani W, Al-Tawfiq JA, Abaalkhail F. Use of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with liver disease and post-liver transplantation: Position statement of the Saudi association for the study of liver diseases and transplantation. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:201-207. [PMID: 34100388 PMCID: PMC8448010 DOI: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_223_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver transplant recipients are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although several studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in the general population, data in CLD patients and liver transplant recipients are lacking. Two COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and rolled out to several million recipients in Saudi Arabia. These vaccines are mRNA-based vaccine BNT162b2 from Pfizer/BioNTech and adenovirus-based AZD1222 from Oxford/AstraZeneca from three manufacturing sites (EU Nodes, Serum Institute of India, and South Korea Bio). The Saudi Association for the Study of Liver diseases and Transplantation (SASLT) has reviewed the available evidence and issued interim recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in CLD and liver transplant recipients. Since there is no evidence contradicting the safety and immunogenicity of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines in patients with CLD and hepatobiliary cancer and liver transplant recipients, the SASLT recommends vaccination in those patient populations. CLD and hepatobiliary cancer patients and liver transplant recipients should be prioritized depending on the risk factors for severe COVID-19. In transplant recipients, the optimal timing of vaccination remains unknown; however, immunization is recommended after the initial immunosuppression phase. Patients with CLD and liver transplant candidates or recipients should be closely monitored after COVID-19 vaccination. These patient populations should be included in future clinical trials to provide further evidence on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh A. Alqahtani
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States,Address for correspondence: Dr. Saleh A. Alqahtani, Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 12713, MD. E-mail:
| | - Mazin Barry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ziad Memish
- Research and Innovation Center, King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Emory University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Almoutaz Hashim
- Department of Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology, College of Medicine, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona A. Alfares
- Department of Infectious Disease, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad A. Alghamdi
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed K. Al-Hamoudi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bandar Al-Judaibi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, and Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario,Division of Transplantation, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Waleed Alhazzani
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada,Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq
- Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia,Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA,Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Faisal Abaalkhail
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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5
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Fancellu A, Sanna V, Scognamillo F, Feo CF, Vidili G, Nigri G, Porcu A. Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive review of current recommendations. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:3517-3530. [PMID: 34046452 PMCID: PMC8130078 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i15.3517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a global health emergency that has also caused profound changes in the treatment of cancer. The management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across the world has been modified according to the scarcity of care resources that have been diverted mostly to face the surge of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Oncological and hepatobiliary societies have drafted recommendations regarding the adaptation of guidelines for the management of HCC to the current healthcare situation. This review focuses on specific recommendations for the surgical treatment of HCC (i.e., hepatic resection and liver transplantation), which still represents the best chance of cure for patients with very early and early HCC. While surgery should be pursued for very selected patients in institutions where standards of care are maintained, alternative or bridging methods, mostly thermoablation and transarterial therapies, can be used until surgery can be performed. The prognosis of patients with HCC largely depends on both the characteristics of the tumour and the stage of underlying liver disease. Risk stratification plays a pivotal role in determining the most appropriate treatment for each case and needs to balance the chance of cure and the risk of COVID-19 infection during hospitalization. Current recommendations have been critically reviewed to provide a reference for best practices in the clinical setting, with adaptation based on pandemic trends and categorization according to COVID-19 prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Fancellu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Valeria Sanna
- Unit of Medical Oncology, AOU Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Scognamillo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 1 - Patologia Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Claudio F Feo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Internal Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nigri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, St. Andrea University Hospital, Rome 00189, Italy
| | - Alberto Porcu
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2 - Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
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6
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Nicastro E, Verdoni L, Bettini LR, Zuin G, Balduzzi A, Montini G, Biondi A, D'Antiga L. COVID-19 in Immunosuppressed Children. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:629240. [PMID: 33996683 PMCID: PMC8116542 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.629240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to a global pandemic, concerns have arisen for the disease impact in at-risk populations, especially in immunocompromised hosts. On the other hand, clinical studies have clarified that the COVID-19 clinical burden is mostly due to over-inflammation and immune-mediated multiorgan injury. This has led to downsizing the role of immunosuppression as a determinant of outcome, and early reports confirm the hypothesis that patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatments do not have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 with respect to the general population. Intriguingly, SARS-CoV-2 natural reservoirs, such as bats and mice, have evolved mechanisms of tolerance involving selection of genes optimizing viral clearance through interferon type I and III responses and also dampening inflammasome response and cytokine expression. Children exhibit resistance to COVID-19 severe manifestations, and age-related features in innate and adaptive response possibly explaining this difference are discussed. A competent recognition by the innate immune system and controlled pro-inflammatory signaling seem to be the pillars of an effective response and the premise for pathogen clearance in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunosuppression-if not associated with other elements of fragility-do not represent per se an obstacle to this competent/tolerant phenotype in children. Several reports confirm that children receiving immunosuppressive medications have similar clinical involvement and outcomes as the pediatric general population, indicating that maintenance treatments should not be interrupted in suspect or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Nicastro
- Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Lucio Verdoni
- Pediatric Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Laura Rachele Bettini
- MBBM Foundation, Pediatric Department, Hospital San Gerardo, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zuin
- MBBM Foundation, Pediatric Department, Hospital San Gerardo, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Adriana Balduzzi
- MBBM Foundation, Pediatric Department, Hospital San Gerardo, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giovanni Montini
- Pediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplant Unit, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- MBBM Foundation, Pediatric Department, Hospital San Gerardo, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Antiga
- Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Transplantation Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
- Pediatric Unit, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
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7
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Sahu T, Mehta A, Ratre YK, Jaiswal A, Vishvakarma NK, Bhaskar LVKS, Verma HK. Current understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal disease: Challenges and openings. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:449-469. [PMID: 33642821 PMCID: PMC7896435 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i6.449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus which belongs to the Coronaviridae family. In March 2019 the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic. COVID-19 patients typically have a fever, dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, and anosmia. Some patients also report gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, as well as liver enzyme abnormalities. Surprisingly, many studies have found severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA in rectal swabs and stool specimens of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. In addition, viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine-type 2, were also found to be highly expressed in gastrointestinal epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 can dynamically infect and replicate in both GI and liver cells. Taken together these results indicate that the GI tract is a potential target of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the present review summarizes the vital information available to date on COVID-19 and its impact on GI aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Sahu
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Science, Raipur 492001, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Arundhati Mehta
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur 495001, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Yashwant Kumar Ratre
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur 495001, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Akriti Jaiswal
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Science, Raipur 492001, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Naveen Kumar Vishvakarma
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur 495001, Chhattisgarh, India
| | | | - Henu Kumar Verma
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Lab, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology CNR, Naples, Campania 80131, Italy
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Di Giorgio A, Hartleif S, Warner S, Kelly D. COVID-19 in Children With Liver Disease. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:616381. [PMID: 33777864 PMCID: PMC7991080 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.616381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The global pandemic caused by novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) is a major threat to the general population and for patients with pre-existing chronic conditions. We report data concerning SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods: A literature review using the online database PubMed was performed to summarize available findings on the association between pre-existing liver disease and COVID-19 infection in children. Results: Children with COVID-19 have preserved effector and immunosuppressive components resulting in a milder disease compared to adults. The most common hepatic manifestation is an elevation of hepatic transaminases. Liver damage may be directly caused by viral infection of liver cells, by medications or by the chronic hypoxia seen in COVID-19 patients. A multicenter study reported that the majority of children with a CLD remained healthy during the outbreak. Similarly, studies reported that children on immunosuppressive treatment, including patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD) and liver transplantation (LT), maintained good health during the outbreak without experiencing major complications even if infected with COVID-19. Conclusion: COVID-19-related liver injury presents with a mild elevation of transaminases, although its clinical significance is unclear. Children with CLD, including those with AILD and post-LT, do not have an increased risk for severe disease course of SARS-CoV-2 infection with little or no liver dysfunction. These data highlight the necessity to ensure normal standards of care while adhering to national Covid-19 guidelines, and particularly to maintain immunosuppressive medication to prevent relapse or rejection. Further research is required to evaluate the differences in clinical course between immunosuppressed adults and children and in particular whether asymptomatic infection is a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Di Giorgio
- Paediatric Liver, Gastroenterology and Transplantation, Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Steffen Hartleif
- Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Children's Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Suzan Warner
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Deirdre Kelly
- The Liver Unit, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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9
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Raja AT, Alshamsan A, Al-jedai A. Current COVID-19 vaccine candidates: Implications in the Saudi population. Saudi Pharm J 2020; 28:1743-1748. [PMID: 33199968 PMCID: PMC7654289 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this review is to discuss the current status of local and international efforts undergoing clinical trials aiming at developing a Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, and to highlight the anticipated challenges of this vaccine globally and in Saudi Arabia. PRESENT FINDINGS COVID-19 vaccine development efforts started in early January 2020 when Chinese scientists shared the Coronavirus genomic sequence in public domain. Approximately 321 research groups initiated the search for a vaccine, out of which 41 have reached phase I/II trails and 11 reached phase-III clinical trials, including approved vaccines for early to limited use. Out of these projects are two labs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still in early stages of development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Several vaccine attempts are being tested from traditional, attenuated virus methods, to new nucleic acid-based designs. However, no vaccine has yet completed clinical trials and reached public domain.In spite of the challenges faced during previous vaccine trials, researchers have found that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19 is structurally similar to the (SARS-CoV-1) and the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which caused epidemics in 2003 and 2012 respectively. Both SARS strains show identical affinity towards the type-II alveolar pneumocytes angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor binding domains and therefore, similar pathogenicity. The race to develop the vaccine is predominantly for individuals at high risk of developing the infection, i.e. population groups who are most susceptible to experiencing fatal symptoms of the coronavirus. These include patients with comorbidities, above the age of 60 years and people at risk of contracting large viral loads, such as healthcare providers caring for critical admissions in in-patient wards, Intensive Care Units and Emergency Room settings. SUMMARY Many different vaccine strategies are under development throughout different stages of the research timeline; however, it is estimated that none will show favorable results before end of 2020. For any immunization or interventional prevention/therapy system to reach the public and patients at high risk, it needs to undergo multiple phase trials to ensure safety and effectiveness. In this scoping review we aim to map the literature on COVID-19 vaccines and provide recommendations related to gaps in research, applicability and expected challenges for implementation of nationwide vaccination in Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aws Alshamsan
- Nanobiotechnology Unit, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Al-jedai
- College of Pharmacy, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Therapeutic Affairs, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
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