Pattern of Liver Injury in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Background: Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are known to cause both respiratory and intestinal diseases in various animal species and humans. These viruses tend to target the upper respiratory tract, causing anywhere from moderate to severe illnesses, such as the cold or in more extreme cases, pneumonia. To date, 7 human coronaviruses have been identified, including the 3 epidemic viruses of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and the newest, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Dong & Wang, 2019; Niu et al., 2016). Recent data on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has begun to shine light on the impact of the disease on the liver. But no studies to date have systematically described liver test abnormalities in patients with COVID-19. We evaluated the clinical characteristics ofCOVID-19 in patients with abnormal liver test results (Cai et al., 2020). Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of concurrent elevation of liver function tests (AST, ALT, Bilirubin), examine dynamic changes of it and its relationship with disease throughout the course of COVID-19 patients.