ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In light of the viral outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 that monopolized the focus of the scientific community and general public alike for the past 6 months, one of the greatest contributors in the battle against this pandemic was the international sharing of information. Whether regarding the viral genome, incubation periods, method of transmission, symptoms, dangerous behaviors, age groups at risk, all information was valuable, all data was shared as soon as possible. AREAS COVERED: Considering that the most severely impacted group of patients are already suffering from other conditions, accessing the impact that metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), obesity, and diabetes has on patients by sharing information between different healthcare facilities is of vital importance. However, the value behind open information sharing would remain significant even without a viral outbreak and should there be a more efficient infrastructure in place, the global exchange of data can become more practical and less arduous. EXPERT OPINION: Since the sharing of data by individual researchers is often motivated by personal benefits, this observed international collaboration is conditional at best, and the widespread misinformation during this pandemic could be an indication of a certain lack of consensus within the scientific community itself.
Subject(s)
Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Information Dissemination/methods , Pandemics/statistics & numerical data , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/epidemiology , COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome/diagnosisSubject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/complications , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/biosynthesis , Pneumonia, Viral/complications , Up-Regulation , Biomarkers/blood , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/blood , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/blood , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has attracted increasing worldwide attention. Cases of liver damage or dysfunction (mainly characterized by moderately elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase levels) have been reported among patients with COVID-19. However, it is currently uncertain whether the COVID-19-related liver damage/dysfunction is due mainly to the viral infection per se or other coexisting conditions, such as the use of potentially hepatotoxic drugs and the coexistence of systemic inflammatory response, respiratory distress syndrome-induced hypoxia, and multiple organ dysfunction. Based on the current evidence from case reports and case series, this review article focuses on the demographic and clinical characteristics, potential mechanisms, and treatment options for COVID-19-related liver dysfunction. This review also describes the geographical and demographic distribution of COVID-19-related liver dysfunction, as well as possible underlying mechanisms linking COVID-19 to liver dysfunction, in order to facilitate future drug development, prevention, and control measures for COVID-19.