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COVID-19 effects on the entire body

How COVID-19 Affects the Entire Body

    Coronavirus has infected millions of people worldwide and caused numerous deaths this year. COVID-19 has been known to cause significant damage and affect the respiratory system, specifically the lungs. However, a study published earlier this month in Nature Medicine, reports that COVID-19 not only damages the lungs but also many other organs and organ systems throughout the body. The authors of this study, a team of scientists/doctors from Columbia University in New York, look closely at the effect of COVID-19 outside of the lungs.

How does the virus spread throughout the body?

    The coronavirus enters the host cells by binding to an entry receptor called ACE2. Without interaction with ACE2 (while in the presence of the protease TMPRSS2), the coronavirus cannot enter the host cells. Recent studies have shown that the higher efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE2 compared to SARS-CoV to ACE2, may be related to the increased transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The ACE2 receptor has been found in high concentrations in multiple organs including the lungs, kidney, heart, small intestine and liver. The coronavirus uses the receptor to infect the cells and cause damage to the organs.     

Clotting and Inflammation

    ACE2 receptors, which also line the blood vessels, are attacked by the virus. This not only causes inflammation but also causes many blood clots to form. These clots can travel all over the body and cause damage to many organs such as clots in the heart leading to strokes and heart attacks and clots in the kidney which interferes with dialysis treatment.

Damage to Organs

    Many organs are damaged as a direct or indirect of COVID-19 due to reasons listed above. Listed below are the main organs affected by COVID-19 outside of the lungs. The study also includes a figure with a detailed list of the organs involved in COVID-19 damage.

  • Heart: Clotting can cause heart attacks, heart muscle is also damaged due to the inflammation of blood vessels.
  • Kidneys: virus uses ACE2 receptor to gain entry; causes renal damage, blood clotting interferes with dialysis
  • Neurological effects: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, loss of smell and fatigue, strokes caused by blood clots

Sources

 1. Gupta, Aakriti, et al. “Extrapulmonary Manifestations of COVID-19.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 10 July 2020, www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0968-3.

2. Scienmag. “Columbia Physicians Give First Comprehensive Review of COVID-19's Effects Outside the Lung: Scienmag: Latest Science and Health News.” Scienmag, scienmag.com/columbia-physicians-give-first-comprehensive-review-of-covid-19s-effects-outside-the-lung/.

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