COVID-19: Clinical Spectrum—It's Multiorgan Syndrome

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a global challenge for the entire health care system worldwide. It has affected the developed as well as developing countries markedly. What began as pneumonia-like illness later evolved into a multiorgan disease leading to severe morbidity and even death. The clinical data and global literature explicitly suggest that in addition to respiratory symptoms, the COVID-19 patients may present with hematological, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, ocular, and skin manifestations. The underlying mechanism for multisystem involvement is the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors at multiple extrapulmonary tissues. Injury to various organs may be attributed to cytokine storms or to disturbances of coagulation and vascular endothelium. The aim of this review is to emphasize the impact of SARS CoV-2 infection on not only the lungs but other organ systems too. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.