Gastrointestinal manifestations and fecal-oral transmission of novel coronavirus

Reviewed by Kate Anderton, B.Sc. (Editor)Mar 5 2020

The world is bracing for the impact of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which has now spread to over 30 countries, infecting more than 80,000 people with over 2,600 deaths globally. A better understanding of how this virus is transmitted is key to preventing its spread.

In two new papers published online in Gastroenterology, investigators from China describe the impact of coronavirus on the digestive tract. Key findings:

• A significant portion of coronavirus patients have diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal discomfort before respiratory symptoms.
• Researchers recommend monitoring patients with initial GI distress, which will allow for earlier detection, diagnosis, isolation and intervention.
• Viral RNA is detectable in stool of patients with suspected coronavirus; it is now clear that the virus sheds into the stool.
• Viral gastrointestinal infection and potential fecal-oral transmission can last even after viral clearance in respiratory tract.
• Prevention of fecal-oral transmission should be taken into consideration to control the spread the virus.

These papers will be published in the May print issue of Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.