The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 was declared in the last weeks as global pandemic. Currently affecting more than 5 000 000 individuals worldwide, COVID‐19 is most commonly associated with symptoms caused by the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As the number of infected individuals increases, we are learning that not only lungs, but also other organs can be affected by the virus. The gastrointestinal symptoms, for example diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain, are frequent in patients with COVID‐19. Moreover, alimentary tract symptoms may precede the respiratory presentation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate management of infected patients. In addition, SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid can be detected in faeces of infected patients and rectal swabs are even reported to remain positive for a longer period of time than nasopharyngeal swabs. Here, we aim to provide an update on the gastrointestinal involvement of COVID‐19 presenting the symptoms that can be encountered in infected patients. We address the role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as a functional receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2, which also was found in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, we briefly discuss faecal shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19：关注肺部，但不要忘记胃肠道。

由 SARS-CoV-2 引起的 2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 在过去几周被宣布为全球大流行病。目前，全球影响超过 500 万人的 COVID-19 最常与急性呼吸窘迫综合征 (ARDS) 引起的症状相关。随着感染人数的增加，我们了解到不仅肺部，其他器官也会受到病毒的影响。COVID-19 患者经常出现胃肠道症状，例如腹泻、呕吐、恶心或腹痛。此外，消化道症状可能先于 SARS-CoV-2 感染的呼吸道表现。这可能导致延迟诊断和对感染患者的不当管理。此外，可以在感染患者的粪便中检测到 SARS-CoV-2 核酸，据报道直肠拭子比鼻咽拭子保持阳性的时间更长。在这里，我们旨在提供有关 COVID-19 胃肠道受累的最新情况，呈现受感染患者可能遇到的症状。我们探讨了血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE2) 作为 SARS-CoV-2 的功能性受体的作用，该受体也在胃肠道中发现。最后，我们简要讨论了 SARS-CoV-2 的粪便脱落及其在疾病发病机制中的潜在作用。我们探讨了血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE2) 作为 SARS-CoV-2 的功能性受体的作用，该受体也在胃肠道中发现。最后，我们简要讨论了 SARS-CoV-2 的粪便脱落及其在疾病发病机制中的潜在作用。我们探讨了血管紧张素转换酶 2 (ACE2) 作为 SARS-CoV-2 的功能性受体的作用，该受体也在胃肠道中发现。最后，我们简要讨论了 SARS-CoV-2 的粪便脱落及其在疾病发病机制中的潜在作用。