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PMC:7212949 JSONTXT

A Comprehensive Review of Manifestations of Novel Coronaviruses in the Context of Deadly COVID-19 Global Pandemic Abstract Since December 2019, the global pandemic caused by the highly infectious novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) has been rapidly spreading. As of April 2020, the outbreak has spread to over 210 countries, with over 2,400,000 confirmed cases and over 170,000 deaths.1 COVID-19 causes a severe pneumonia characterized by fever, cough and shortness of breath. Similar coronavirus outbreaks have occurred in the past causing severe pneumonia like COVID-19, most recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). However, over time, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were shown to cause extrapulmonary signs and symptoms including hepatitis, acute renal failure, encephalitis, myositis and gastroenteritis. Similarly, sporadic reports of COVID-19 related extrapulmonary manifestations emerge. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive summary of the multiorgan manifestations of COVID-19, making it difficult for clinicians to quickly educate themselves about this highly contagious and deadly pathogen. What is more, is that SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are the closest humanity has come to combating something similar to COVID-19, however, there exists no comparison between the manifestations of any of these novel coronaviruses. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the manifestations of the novel coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19, with a particular focus on the latter, and highlight their differences and similarities. INTRODUCTION The current global pandemic due to the highly contagious COVID-19 infection is rapidly spreading in many countries with a high number of deaths. Many communities and countries have enforced restrictions, permitting only essential activities. Health systems around the globe are currently preparing to manage the surge of the influx of critically ill patients. During this phase, care providers, administrators and policymakers work in concert to understand and combat this deadly pandemic. The current knowledge about COVID-19 is limited but rapidly evolving. During this outbreak, the medical community used evidence gleaned from past outbreaks of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV to predict COVID-19’s behavior, clinical presentation and treatment. In addition, coronaviruses (CoV) are known to cause signs and symptoms of multiorgan system damage, many of which are subtle and can go unnoticed by trained medical professionals. Furthermore, frontline healthcare personnel lack a comprehensive review of the numerous clinical pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations of deadly CoVs making self-education time consuming. We have attempted to summarize the manifestations of COVID-19 and other CoVs in many organs with the goal of consolidating knowledge to address the current pandemic. We hope that this review will provide information that would help to manage patients, evaluate manifestations in different organs, predict complications and prognosis, allocate resources in the appropriate domains, and provide opportunities for research. Methods We searched the published literature for multiple combinations of different organs, and names for infectious conditions of those organs and novel CoVs. We only included articles written in the English language and published after 2002. We included both animal and human research studies. The search methodology resulted in nearly 2000 articles. During the further review, we limited the number of articles by eliminating articles that lacked direct relevance. We populated tables with disease manifestations in various organs (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, Table 7, Table 8 ). Table 1 Pulmonary manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Lee et al (2003)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Lang et al (2003)N = 3, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Liu et al (2004)N = 53, confirmed casesRetrospective study Peiris et al (2003)N = 75, confirmed casesProspective study Clinical features • Preexisting chronic pulmonary disease (2.1%) • Fever (100%) • Cough (57.3%) • Sputum (29%) • Sore throat (23.2%) Coryza (22.5%) • Inspiratory crackles Fever (3/3)Dyspnea (3/3)Mildly productive cough (1/3)Death within 9-15 days of illness • Fever (98%) • Cough (68% on admission to isolation, 74% after hospitalization, 26% productive) 4.5 ± 1.9 days after fever onset • Dyspnea (40% on admission to isolation) • O2 saturation <90% on room air (51% on hospitalization, 11% on admission to isolation) • Fever (100%), recurred in 85% at mean 8.9 days • Cough (29%) • Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (12%) during follow-up • Sore throat (11%) • Shortness of breath (4%) • O2 saturation < 90% on room air (44mean 9.1 days after symptom onset) Key findings on investigations CXR• Consolidation (78.3% at fever onset, eventually 100%) • 54.6% unilateral, focal • 45.4% multifocal or bilateral • Peripheral zone predominant CT• Progression of chest CT infiltrates 7-10 days after admission, resolution with treatment • lll-defined peripheral GGO, usually subpleural • Leukopenia (2/3) • Lymphopenia (2/3) • CXR: Bilateral interstitial infiltrates • Abnormal CXR (59% on admission, 98% anytime) • 63% patients – first unifocal infiltrates at 4.5 ± 2.1 days • 37% patients - started as multifocal infiltrates at 5.8 ± 1.3 days after fever onset Initial CXR abnormal: 71%• One lung zone: 49% • Multizonal: 21% Chest CT abnormal (55% of 33)• One lobe: 55% • Multilobar: 46% • Focal ground-glass opacification: 24% • Consolidation: 36% • Both: 39% Radiologic worsening in 80% at mean 7.4 days Histopathology • Gross: Lung consolidation • Early phase: Pulmonary edema with hyaline membrane formation • Organizing phase: Cellular fibromyxoid organizing exudates in alveoli • Scanty lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate • Vacuolated and multinucleated pneumocytes • Viral inclusions not detected. • Gross: Diffuse hemorrhage on lung surface • Serous, fibrinous and hemorrhagic inflammation in alveoli with desquamation of pneumocytes and hyaline-membrane formation • Capillary engorgement and capillary microthrombosis, thromboemboli in bronchial arterioles • Hemorrhagic necrosis lymphocyte depletion in lymph nodes and spleen • Viral RNA detected in type II alveolar cells, interstitial cells and bronchiolar epithelial cells N/A N/A Key study findings and message • 23.2% ICU admission, at day 6 (mean) • 13.8% mechanical ventilation rate • 3.6% crude mortality rate • ICU patients more likely to be of older age (P = 0.009) Severe immunological damage to lung tissue causes clinical features • Fever most common and earliest symptom • 23% mechanical ventilation rate • 83.33% of patients with GGO developed ARDS • 20% mechanical ventilation • 17% ICU admission • Recurrence of fever (univariate) and age (multivariate) risk factors for ARDS and ICU admission MERS Study Assiri et al (2013)N = 47, confirmed casesRetrospective study Arabi et al (2014)N = 12, (11 confirmed cases, 1 probable)Case series Al-Abdley et al (2019)N = 33, confirmed casesRetrospective study Almekhlafi et al (2016)N = 31, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features • Preexisting chronic lung disease (26%) • Smokers (23%) • Fever (98%) • Cough (83%) • Dry (47%) • Productive (36%) • Dyspnea (72%) • Sore throat (21%) • Rhinorrhea (4%) • Preexisting chronic lung disease (8%) • Dyspnea (92%) • Cough (83%) • Fever (67%) • Wheezing (17%) • Productive cough (17%) • Rhinorrhea (8%) • Hemoptysis (8%) • Sore throat (8%) • Preexisting chronic lung disease (12%) • Fever (75.7%) • Cough (72%) • Dyspnea (59%) • Sore throat (12%) Rhinorrhea (9%) • Cough (100%) • Tachypnea (100%) • Fever (87.1%) • Sore throat (25.8%) • Crackles (93.5 %) Rhonchi (32.3 %) Key findings on investigations CXR abnormality (100%) – ARDS pattern CXR, CT: lobular to bilateral extensive ARDS pattern N/A CXR abnormality (96.4%) Key study findings and message • 89% ICU admission • 72% mechanical ventilation • 60% case fatality rate 100% invasive mechanical ventilation, mean duration 100 days • Dyspnea before admission was associated with a more severe outcome (P < 0.001) Prolonged MERS-CoV detection in URT in diabetics (P = 0.049) • 87.1 % invasive mechanical ventilation (87.1%) • 74.2% overall ICU mortality rate • Mortality in ICU associated with older age, severe disease and organ failure. COVID-19 Study Huang et al (2020)N = 41, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Guan et al (2020)N = 1099, confirmed casesRetrospective study Zhang et al (2020)N = 1, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Clinical features • Smoker (7%) • Preexisting COPD (2%) • Fever 98% • Dry cough (76%) • Dyspnea (55%), mean 8 days after onset • Sputum (28%) • Hemoptysis (5%) • ARDS (29%), mean 9 days after onset • ↑RR >24/min (29%) • Preexisting COPD (2.9%) • Fever 98.6% • Dry cough (59.4) • Sputum (26.8%) • Dyspnea, mean 5 days after onset • ARDS (19.6%), mean 8 days after onset • Preexisting chronic pulmonary disease (1.1%) • Fever (43.8% on admission, 88.7% during hospitalization) • Cough (67.8%) • Sputum (33.7%) • Sore throat (13.9%) • Nasal congestion (4.8%) • Hemoptysis (0.9%) • ARDS (3.4%) • 1.4% case fatality rate • 4 days median incubation period • Fever • Cough • ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation within 1 week Key findings on investigations Abnormal chest CT (100%); (98% bilateral) • ↓PaO2 • ↓PaO2:FiO2 • Abnormal CXR (59.1%) • Abnormal Chest CT (86.2%) • Ground glass opacity most common (56.4%) • No lung imaging findings in 17.9% patients with nonsevere disease and in 2.9% with severe disease CT: Patchy bilateral ground glass opacities Histopathology N/A N/A N/A • Diffuse alveolar damage with organizing changes of fibrous plugs, with interstitial fibrosis and chronic inflammatory infiltrates • Denuded alveolar lining with pneumocyte type II hyperplasia • Virus detected on alveolar epithelial cells including desquamated cells, not in blood vessels Key study findings and message • ICU patients had more areas of consolidation • 10% mechanical ventilation rate, mean 10.5 days after onset • 5% ECMO rate • High-flow O2 therapy in 11.1% ICU patients, noninvasive ventilation in 41.7%, and invasive ventilation in 47.2% • Older patients (P < 0.001), patients with more comorbidities, dyspnea and anorexia more likely to require ICU care • Mortality: 4.3% • Mechanical ventilation needed (6.1%) • Radiographic abnormalities often absent Histopathologic findings consistent with diffuse alveolar damage ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; CXR, chest x-ray; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; GGO, ground glass opacities; ICU, intensive care unit; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; RR, respiratory rate; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; URT, upper respiratory tract. Pathogens CoVs are a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses that infect humans primarily through droplets and fomites. Before December 2019, there were 6 known human CoVs, including the alpha-CoVs, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E, and the beta-CoVs, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, severe acute respiratory syndrome-COV (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV).2 The recently identified COVID-19 is a beta-CoV that infects both humans and animals. All 3 of these novel viruses (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19) originate from zoonotic transmission. Bats may have served as the source of SARS-CoV and COVID-19 based on sequence similarity with bat CoVs. Camels are suspected to have been the zoonotic host for transmission of MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV outbreak spanned from 2002 to 2003 infecting 8,098, causing 774 deaths resulting in a 5-10% mortality and a 43% mortality in the elderly.3 , 4 The MERS-CoV outbreak was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.4 It then spread to Europe, Asia, Africa and North America and infected 2,494 people, causing 858 death.5 The MERS-CoV caused severe pneumonia with an intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate of 40-50% and an in-hospital ICU death rate of 75%.6 , 7 In December 2019, the city of Wuhan in Hubei Provence, China, reported a small outbreak of a novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The fatality rate is highest in adults ≥85 years old (10-27%), followed by 65-84 years (3-11%) with 50% of ICU admission among persons ≥65 years. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. PULMONARY MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Patients infected with SARS-CoV initially had features of atypical pneumonia. Cough was a common presenting symptom in up to 74% of patients8, 9, 10 (Table 1). Other symptoms suggestive of an upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., rhinitis) were less frequent.11 Approximately 50% of patients developed hypoxia during hospitalization, and up to 26% progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation.8 , 12 The elderly and patients with multiple comorbidities had particularly high (more than 15.7%) mortality.12 , 13 Unilateral, focal, peripheral areas of consolidations on imaging were identified in upwards of 78% of patients.10 Histopathology revealed diffuse serous, fibrinous and hemorrhagic inflammation. SARS-CoV RNA has been detected in type II alveolar cells, interstitial cells and bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting infection of both proximal and distal epithelium of the lung.13 Most patients received antibacterial antibiotics, with or without the use of ribavirin and corticosteroids.9, 10, 11 Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) serves as a functional receptor to SARS-CoV.13 , 14 SARS-CoV also disrupts the urokinase pathway, which controls fibrin levels through extracellular remodeling, and is associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and fibrosis.15 SARS-CoV also triggers the production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines contributing to excessive inflammation in the lungs. Hence, anticytokine and chemokine immunotherapy may be effective for minimizing collateral damage.12 MERS-CoV Common presenting symptoms of MERS include dyspnea in up to 92% and cough in 83% of patients 16 , 17 (Table 1). In a study including 47 patients, all patients presented with an abnormal chest radiograph, 89% needed ICU admissions, and 72% required mechanical ventilation. The case fatality rate was 60%, and the rate increased with age.16 Most patients received antibiotics, and a small minority received corticosteroids, ribavirin and intravenous immunoglobulin.17 In a small case series, antiviral therapy was not beneficial.18 MERS-CoV also induces overexpression of inflammatory cytokines and/or chemokines.19 COVID-19 A dry cough is a common symptom in COVID-19 infection, present in up to 68% of patients 20 (Table 1). Sore throat and sputum production are uncommon (5% or less).21 The presence of dyspnea is predictive of ICU admission.21 In early descriptions of hospitalized patients in China, all patients had an abnormal chest computed tomography.20 , 22 Ground glass opacities are common (56%), followed by consolidation and interstitial abnormalities.21 In a large Chinese study, the course was complicated by ARDS in 3.4% patients, 6.1% required mechanical ventilation, and the case fatality rate was 1.4-2.1%.21 Other studies noted a higher incidence of ARDS among hospitalized patients (29%), and higher mortality (15%).20 , 22 Respiratory failure tends to have a delayed onset, occurring approximately 1 week after the onset of symptoms. Patients with critical illness were on average older (median age 66 versus [vs.] 51 noncritically patients) and had more comorbidities.20 Patients who received invasive mechanical ventilatory support were more likely to be male and obese.23 Histopathology of the lung shows diffuse alveolar damage, denuded alveolar lining cells and interstitial fibrosis.24 There is also evidence of a higher incidence of thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients and an association between elevated D-dimer levels and mortality.25 Additionally, preliminary evidence suggests that heparin use may result in lower 28-day mortality rates when compared to in COVID-19 patients not receiving this therapy.26 Currently, it is speculated that respiratory compromise due to COVID-19 is driven by cytokine-mediated injury of the lung and that interventions to reduce the activity of specific inflammatory mediators may improve outcomes.27 , 28 COVID-19 also uses ACE2 receptor to enter into cells so therapies targeting this receptor may serve as a potential treatment option.29, 30, 31, 32 There is no standard of care for the prevention or treatment of respiratory compromise in COVID-19 yet. Medications including glucocorticoids, IL-6 antagonists, Janus kinase inhibitors, antivirals and chloroquine and/or hydroxychloroquine are currently being studied as possible therapeutic options.33 CARDIOVASCULAR MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Patients may present with cardiac arrhythmia, failure and myocarditis34, 35, 36, 37 (Table 1). A study on 121 hospitalized SARS-CoV patients found that tachycardia was the most frequent acute presentation followed by hypotension, bradycardia, reversible cardiomegaly and transient paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.34 Case reports have described acute onset myocarditis in patients with SARS-CoV; however, on autopsy, the virus was absent in the myocardium, suggesting myocardial damage may be indirectly related to the illness.38 , 39 Another report described several fatal cases of SARS-CoV patients with acute heart failure and, rarely, myocardial infarction in the setting of septic shock with elevated myocardial enzymes.40 , 41 Chronic cardiometabolic damage may also ensue in some, even 12 years after recovery with dysregulated lipid metabolism.42 MERS-CoV There are rare case reports describing acute myocarditis in MERS-CoV patients, presenting with severe chest pain and subsequent heart failure with elevated high-sensitivity TnI and probrain natriuretic peptide levels22 , 43 (Table 1). Few reports also note sinus tachycardia and diffuse T-wave inversion on electrocardiography and global left ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography.43 Rarely pericarditis may also ensue.6 COVID-19 ACE2, the functional receptor of COVID-19 is expressed in the myocardium. Whether the use of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors alters COVID-19 infection by upregulating ACE2 is under investigation. Similar to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, COVID-19 also causes acute cardiac injury in a subset of patients with corresponding elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I levels22 , 44 (Table 1). CK-MB and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I were higher in ICU patients, suggesting that myocardial injury is more likely present in patients with severe disease.45 , 46 As many as 7% of deaths in COVID-19 patients have been attributed to myocardial injury.47 Other cardiac manifestations include acute myocardial infarction, fulminant heart failure and dysrhythmias.48 In some studies, arrhythmia with COVID-19 infection was as high as 17%.20 , 45 It is also important to note various drug interactions and the arrhythmogenic potential of medications often used in these patients. Additionally, patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease and hypertension have been seen to suffer from more severe disease requiring critical care.48 Presenting symptoms range from mild chest pain with preserved ejection fraction to profound cardiovascular collapse requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Echocardiography may show a regional wall motion abnormality or global hypokinesis with or without pericardial effusion.49 , 50 Initial electrocardiogram may show low voltage QRS complexes in the limb leads, ST segment elevations in leads I, II, aVL, V2-V6 and PR elevation and ST depressions in aVR.49 , 50 There should be a low threshold for SARS-CoV-2 testing in patients presenting with signs of myopericarditis even in the absence of fever and respiratory symptoms. Proposed mechanisms of cardiac injury in patients with COVID-19 include overexpression of ACE2 in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease, cytokine storm triggered by an imbalanced response by type 1 and type 2 helper cells, hypoxemia resulting in myocardial damage, plaque rupture, coronary vasospasm, or direct vascular injury.22 , 45 , 51 There may be a complex interplay between the accelerated immunologic dysregulation of the cytokines and T cells and the underlying cardiovascular or related metabolic conditions. Virally-induced systemic inflammation may also promote coronary plaque rupture and have a procoagulant effect necessitating the intensification of medical therapy.52 HEPATOBILIARY MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Hepatitis in SARS-CoV is a well-recognized common complication, although it is a diagnosis of exclusion. Approximately 60% of patients with SARS-CoV had a degree of liver impairment with elevated alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase, hypoalbuminemia and hyperbilirubinemia 53 (Table 2 ). ACE2 receptors are also found on the hepatic endothelial cells.54 On histopathology, SARS-CoV patients had a large number of virus particles in the hepatic parenchymal cells.38 , 39 , 55 Elevated levels of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with SARS-CoV hepatitis support coexisting acute inflammatory response.56 Hepatic cell damage and cell-cycle disruption was seen on hepatic biopsy with apoptosis, mitotic arrest with eosinophilic bodies and balloon-like hepatocytes.22 Unfortunately, hepatic damage potentially due to antivirals use complicates our understanding of the etiology of hepatitis in patients with SARS-CoV.57 Hepatic involvement may indicate a poor prognosis, particularly in patients with high LDH levels.58 Yang et al reported long-standing hyperglycemia (due to pancreatic injury) as an independent predictor for adverse outcomes in patients with SARS-CoV.58 Table 2 Cardiovascular manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Booth et al (2003)N = 144, confirmed casesRetrospective study Li et al (2003)N = 46, confirmed casesProspective study Pan et al (2003)N = 15, confirmed casesRetrospective study Ding et al (2004)N = 8 (4 confirmed cases, 4 control)Clinicopathologic study Yu et al (2006)N = 121, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features • Chest pain (10%)• ↑HR (46%) • No chest pain or overt CHF on admission• ↓HR (non-ICU) ↑HR (ICU)•CHF exacerbation • Sudden cardiac arrest (100%)• MI and arrhythmia (33%) • Chest pain • ↑HR (71.9%) (62.8%, 45.4%, 35.5%) • ↓BP (50.4%) (28.1%, 21.5%, 14.8% during the first, second, third week)↓HR, transient (14.9%) • Reversible cardiomegaly (10.7%), no clinical heart failure • Chest discomfort (7%) • Palpitations (4%) Key findings on investigations • ↓Ca++ (60%) • ↓K+ (26%) • ↓Mg++ (18%) • ↓P+ (27%) • ↑ LDH (87%) • ↑ CK • ↑ LDH • ↓Hb • EKG: RBBB • Echo: ↓LVEF • Abnormal cardiac enzymes (66%) N/A • ↑ CK • ↑CK (26%) without TnI or CKMB • ↑ LDH • CXR or CT abnormality: 100% Histopathology N/A N/A N/A • Myocardial stromal edema • Infiltration of vessels by lymphocytes • Focal hyaline degeneration • Muscle fiber lysis N/A Key study findings and message • 20% ICU admission • 6.5% Case fatality rate (21 days) • Diabetes and other comorbidities independently associated with poor prognosis Possibly reversible subclinical diastolic impairment seen in SARS patients Proposed causes of SCD:• Hypoxemia leading to myocardial strain • Direct viral myocardial injury • Stress aggravates pre-existing disease • Sympathetic response causing electrical myocardial instability ACE2 expressed in heart, but virus not detected • ↑CK likely due to myositis as cardiac enzymes normal • 15% ICU admission • 18 (5) days mean duration of hospital stay • Tachycardia persists during follow up • Cardiac arrhythmia is uncommon MERS Study Alhogbani (2016)N = 1 confirmed caseCase report Almekhlafi et al (2016)N = 31, confirmed casesRetrospective study Garout et al (2018)N = 52, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features CHF ↑HR (67.7%) Pericarditis Key findings on investigations • ↑ TnI • ↑ BNP • ↑ Creatinine • Echo: Severe global LV dysfunction • Cardiac MRI: Myocarditis N/A N/A Key study findings and message MERS-CoV may cause myocarditis and acute heart failure • Vasopressor need is a risk factor for death (P = 0.04) • 80.6% vasopressor support rate No association of ECMO need with outcomes COVID-19 Study Huang et al (2020)N = 41, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Zheng et al (2020)Review Bhatraju et al (2020)N = 24, confirmed casesRetrospective study Fried et al (2020)N = 4, confirmed casesCase reports Clinical features • ↑BP • Acute cardiac injury (12%) more in ICU patients than non-ICU patients (31% vs. 4%) • Pre-existing HTN (31.2%) (58.3% in ICU, significant) • Pre-existing CVD (14.5%) (25% in ICU, significant) • Acute cardiac injury (7.2%) (22.2% in ICU, significant) • Arrhythmia (16.7%) (44.4% in ICU patients) • Palpitations • Chest tightness • ↑HR (48%) • Vasopressor need (71%) • Myopericarditis • Decompensated heart failure • Cardiogenic Shock Key findings on investigations • ↑ TnI (12%) (31% in ICU patients, 4% in non-ICU patients) • ↑ TnI • ↑ CK-MB N/A • ↑ TnI (15%) • Diffuse ST segment elevations • Elevated cardiac enzymes • LVEF on echo Key Study findings and message ↑BP more common in ICU patients (P = 0.018) ICU patients more likely to have pre-existing hypertension, develop arrhythmias, acute cardiac injury (P < 0.001) Proposed mechanism of cardiac injury:• ACE 2 related • Cytokine storm • Hypoxemia • ICU admission most commonly due to hypoxemic respiratory failure, vasopressor requirement or both • 50% mortality • Similar symptoms in heart transplant patients as nontransplant patients BNP, B-type natriuretic peptide; BP, blood pressure; HR, heart rate; CHF, congestive heart failure; CK, creatine kinase; CKMB, creatine kinase myocardial band; CXR; chest x-ray; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Hb, hemoglobin; ICU, intensive care unit; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; MI, myocardial infarction; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; RBBB, right bundle branch block; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; TnI, troponin-I. MERS-CoV Several studies report patients with MERS-CoV and elevated liver enzymes, as well as hypoalbuminemia59 , 60 (Table 2). The degree of hypoalbuminemia also helps to predict disease severity.60 Hepatic findings may resemble SARS-CoV-related changes.61 However, MERS-CoV utilizes dipeptidyl peptidase-4 to infect cells, which is highly expressed in the liver.62 , 63 In transgenic mice, the liver injury occurred within the first week after infection resulting in hepatic necrosis and infiltration of Kupffer cells and macrophages.64 Similar to other coronavirus infections, high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines are noted in the acute phase, including IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-15 and IL-17.65 Future investigations may clarify the role of inflammatory response in causing the liver injury. COVID-19 The few available studies show that as many as 51% of patients with COVID-19 have abnormal liver function on admission (elevated liver enzymes, bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase levels) 66 (Table 2). Patients with abnormal LFTs present with a high degree of fever, and their degree of hepatic dysfunction correlates with length of hospitalization.66 New reports suggest that the liver dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 may be related to damage to the cholangiocytes lining the biliary epithelium, likely due to the higher expression of ACE2 receptors on those cells.67 Patients with preexisting metabolic fatty liver disease have been seen to have an about 6-fold higher chance of severe disease in the presence of coexisting obesity.21 GASTROINTESTINAL MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in SARS-CoV was common and occurred at different stages of the disease; rarely, patients reported only GI symptoms.68, 69, 70 The most common GI presentation was loss of appetite (up to 55%) and watery diarrhea (up to 76%)69 , 71 (Table 3 ). Patients also complained of nausea, vomiting (14-22.2%) and abdominal pain (3.5-12.6%).72 The association between symptoms and outcomes had been mixed. Leung et al found that patients with diarrhea had a higher likelihood of requiring ICU admission and ventilatory support.68 Others found that GI symptoms at presentation conferred a better prognosis.69 Others found no association between diarrhea and the development of ARDS or the requirement of ventilatory support.70 The mechanism of GI symptoms is unclear, but SARS-CoV particles have been detected in saliva (100%), feces (97%) and mucosal epithelial and lymphoid tissue of affected patients with associated depletion of lymphoid tissue.72 Table 3 Hepatobiliary manifestation of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Duan et al (2003)N = 154, confirmed casesRetrospective study Ding et al (2004)N = 8 (4 confirmed cases, 4 control)Clinicopathologic study Chau et al (2004)N = 3, confirmedCase report Zhao et al (2004)N = 169, confirmed casesRetrospective study Yang et al (2005)N = 168, confirmed casesRetrospective study Zhan et al (2006)N = 12 (6 confirmed cases, 6 controls)Clinicopathologic study Yang et al (2010)N = 539 (520 confirmed cases)Prospective study Clinical Features Hepatic dysfunction Hepatic dysfunction Hepatic dysfunction Hepatic dysfunction Hepatic dysfunction Diabetes:• 35.9% within 3 days • 51.3% within 2 weeks Key findings on investigations • ↑ALT &/or AST (37.7%) • ↑ALT (70.7%) • ↑ALT and AST (22.4%) • ALT and AST normalized within 2 weeks in 75.9% • ↑T. bili (8.4%) • ↑Albumin (24%) • ↓ Prealbumin (28.6%) • ↑ ALT • + viral RT-PCR in liver, not sera • ↑ ALT (32.76-62.50%) • ↑ AST (13.04-40.00%) • ↓ Albumin (40.35-72.00%) • Total protein remained normal ↑ ALT:• Peak: 111.32 ± 160.24 U/L • At admission: 52.5%, • First week: 71.8% • Second week: 85.7% • Third week: 85.2% • ↓ Albumin ↑ blood glucose Histopathology N/A • Virus detected in liver, pancreas • Virus not detected in spleen. • Apoptosis (3/3) • Accumulated cells in mitosis (2/3) • Ballooning hepatocytes • Mild to moderate lobular lymphocytic infiltration • Ki-67 + nuclei (0.5-11.4%) • Virus detected in liver by RT-PCR, but not by EM N/A Nonspecific inflammation Spleen:• Severe white pulp damage • Altered cell distribution • Markedly reduced or absent CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells • CD68+ macrophages most numerous ACE2 receptors found in pancreatic islet cells Key study findings and message • AST/ALT elevation rates associated with disease severity (P < 0.05) • Possibly beneficial to suppress cytokine storm in early stage Liver may also be target of infection besides lungs Liver damage likely by virus directly Total protein remained normal despite albuminemia • No association found between liver damage, and oxygen saturation or degree of fever or immune dysfunction • Liver damage likely by virus directly • Hepatotoxic drugs may contribute • Spleen damage most likely due to direct viral attack • Steroid medication may contribute • Indirect viral mechanism, perhaps vascular, causing spleen injury • Higher mortality in patients with hyperglycemia, ↑ AST (P < 0.0001) • Mortality not higher in patients with ↑ ALT (P = 0.35) • SARS-CoV may cause acute insulin dependent diabetes mellitus • 5% (2/39) still had diabetes 3 years after discharge MERS Study Saad et al (2014)N = 70, confirmed casesRetrospective Al-Hameed et al (2016)N = 8, confirmed casesProspective study Alsaad et al (2017)N = 1, confirmed casesClinicopathologic Clinical Features Hepatic dysfunction (31.4%) Hepatic dysfunction later during ICU stay (62.5%) N/A Key findings on investigations • ↓ Albumin • ↑ AST • ↑ T.bil • ↑ AST, ALT • ↑ T.bil N/A Histopathology N/A N/A Liver:• Mild portal inflammation, chronic, with CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Necroinflammatory foci in hepatic lobules • Reactive parenchyma with mild hydropic degeneration, more in perivenular area • Rare multinucleated hepatocytes • Mild disarray of the hepatic plates • Minimal macrovesicular perivenular steatotic change, sinusoidal congestion, hemorrhage and focal perivenular hepatocytes loss Key study findings and message Albumin <35 g/L at diagnosis predictor of severe infection (P = 0.026) 41% developed multiorgan failure Portal and lobular hepatitis, viral particles not identified in liver on EM COVID-19 Study Fan et al (2020)N = 148, confirmed casesRetrospective study Chai et al (2020)N = 4 (healthy)Clinicopathologic Huang et al (2020)N = 41, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features Hepatic dysfunction at admission (50.7%) Preexisting chronic liver disease (2%) Pre-existing chronic liver disease (2.9%) Key findings on investigations ↓ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in patients with hepatic dysfunction N/A ↑ AST (37%)(62% ICU, 25% non-ICU) ↑ LDH Histopathology N/A ACE2 expression in cholangiocytes (59.7%) and hepatocytes (2.6%) N/A N/A Key study findings and message • Patients with hepatic dysfunction more likely to have moderate-high fever, more in males (P = 0.035, 0.005) • Abnormal liver function after admission associated with prolonged stay (P = 0.02) • Hepatic dysfunction more likely due to cholangiocyte damage by virus, not hepatocyte • Drug induced damage, SIRS may also play a role Cytokine storm possible associated with disease severity AST, ALT, T.bil, LDH higher in ICU patients (P < 0.001, P = 0.007,P = 0.02, P < 0.001) ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; T. Bili, total bilirubin. A significant mode of spread in community outbreaks was fecal-oral transmission.70 , 73 , 74 Patients with diarrhea also had a higher rate of positive serological and nasopharyngeal secretion tests.75 The virus remained stable in stool up to 2-4 days, and may even be detectable as late as 4 weeks.70 , 73 , 76 MERS-CoV Patients may present with GI symptoms, pain and fever16 , 77 , 78 (Table 3). Patients with GI symptoms have delayed MERS-CoV serological clearance.60 , 79 MERS-CoV RNA in stool has been detected in about 15% of patients, much lower than SARS-CoV, and may not correlate with the presence of GI symptoms.79 , 80 While the virus replicates in the intestinal tract, isolation of the virus from feces and fecal-oral transmission are rare.81, 82, 83 COVID-19 There is increasing recognition of GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients (up to 50%).84 Patients may present only with GI symptoms.20 , 84 Loss of appetite and diarrhea have been the most commonly reported symptom (in up to 78.6% cases), and less often vomiting (up to 5%), and abdominal pain (up to 2%) (Table 3).20, 21, 22 , 84 Vomiting has been shown to be a more common presenting symptoms in children. The GI features seem to worsen with overall disease severity and the presence of abdominal pain has been associated with about 4 times higher odds of severe COVID.22 , 24 The delayed recognition of GI symptoms and lack of awareness may lead to a delay in seeking medical care.22 Patients who present later during their illness were more likely to suffer from hepatic dysfunction but without a difference in mortality, ICU days or time to discharge.22 Patients with obesity are at significantly higher risk for severe disease requiring critical care and invasive mechanical ventilation. Compared with patients with a BMI <25 kg/m2, patients with BMI >35 kg/m2 have been seen to have 7 times the odds for requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.25 , 26 COVID-19 virus enters enteric epithelial tissue through ACE 2 and transmembrane protease, serine 2, but the exact mechanism of GI symptoms is not known.85 The virus is detectable in stool in up to half of COVID-19 patients,86 , 87 and the feces remains positive for as much as 4 weeks.87 ACE 2 and viral protein have been detected in GI epithelial cells, and infectious virus particles were isolated from feces.88 Fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing has been shown to be as accurate as PCR detection from a sputum sample, and in some cases, fecal PCR is positive before sputum PCR.88 It remains unclear if the fecal-oral route is a significant mode of transmission. RENAL MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Renal impairment in SARS-CoV seems multifactorial and could include secondary sepsis, comorbidities, rhabdomyolysis, treatment-related interstitial nephritis, and altered immune response (Table 4 ). In most SARS-CoV patients, acute renal damage was not common at presentation.89 However, acute renal failure was noted in 5-15% of patients and more often developed subsequently 7-20 days after presentation.89, 90, 91, 92 Choi et al reported a 6% incidence of acute renal failure in a study of 267 patients, more commonly in elderly diabetics. A large study with 536 patients stated that patients with ARF had hyponatremia and hypoalbuminemia at the time of admission.75 , 91 Patients with renal dysfunction had mortality rates around 90%.75 , 90 , 91 , 93 , 94 Patients with hypouricemia and chronic renal replacement therapy also had poor outcomes.95, 96, 97 Table 4 Gastrointestinal manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Lee et al (2003)N = 138, suspectedRetrospective study Donnelly et al (2003)N = 1425, confirmed casesRetrospective study Peiris et al (2003)N = 75, confirmed casesProspective study Leung et al (2003)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Choi et al (2003)N = 267 (227 confirmed cases)Retrospective study Shi et al (2005)N = 14, (7 confirmed cases, 7 suspected)Clinicopathologic study Kwan et al (2005)N = 240, confirmed casesRetrospective Study Clinical Features • Diarrhea (19.6%) • Nausea and vomiting (19.6%) • Loss of appetite (54.6%) • Diarrhea (27%) • Vomiting (14%) • Abdominal pain (13%) Watery diarrhea (73%) (1% on admission)• 7.5 ± 2.3 days of symptom onset • frequency 6.3 ± 3.5/day • Peak 8.7 ± 2.3 days, improved in all by day 13 Watery diarrhea (38.4 % within first week, 20.3% on presentation)• Average duration: 3.7 ±2.7 • 5.8% only GI symptoms on presentation • Loss of appetite (23%) • Watery diarrhea (15% on admission, increased to 53% after hospitalization, median 3 days after) (frequency 3-20/day) • Vomiting (7%) • Diarrhea (1/7) • Upper GI hemorrhage (2/7) • Hematochezia (1/7) • Watery diarrhea (20.4%) • 7.5 ±2.8 days after fever onset • (Peak day 12) • OR: 3 for patients with diarrhea to have continued diarrhea on follow up Key findings on investigations • ↑ baseline albumin• ↓ K+ N/A Viral RNA in stool (97%) (14.4 ± 2.2 days from onset) • ↓ K+• Viral RNA in stool (16%)• No viral isolation from stool• Colonoscopy (1) grossly within normal limits ↓ K+ (41%) N/A K+ nadir lower in diarrheal patients than nondiarrheal (P < 0.05) Histopathology N/A N/A N/A • On EM, viral particles detected in epithelial cells of bowel within ER, and in surface microvilli, active viral replication in intestines • Able to isolate virus by culture from small intestine N/A • Diarrheal patient: Pseudomembranous plaques, shallow ulcers in TI, scattered hemorrhagic spots in gastric mucosa • Patients with bleeding: coffee ground liquid in GIT • Lymphoid tissue depletion in all • SARS-CoV particles detected in epithelial cells in diarrheal patient only N/A Key study findings and message GI symptoms were less common GI symptoms less common at presentation 21%: concomitant fever, diarrhea, and radiological worsening • Patients with GI symptoms had higher ICU admission (P < 0.001, higher requirement of ventilatory support (P = 0.004) • GI symptoms may be due to proteins or toxins produced during viral replication • Diarrheal patients had nonstatistically significant higher rates of positive serological and nasopharyngeal secretion testing • GI symptoms may be due to direct enteric infection by virus or antibiotic treatment GI symptoms may be due to:• Acute immune damage • Via infected lymphocytes • Opportunistic infections GI symptoms more common in:• F>M (6:1) (P < 0.001) • Geographical (Amoy Gardens Estate residents) (P = 0.01) • Patients with GI symptoms had lower mortality and ventilator requirement (P < 0.005) • CXR scores at peak of diarrhea did not correlate with frequency MERS Study Assiri et al (2013)N = 47, confirmed casesRetrospective study Corman et al (2015)N = 37, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Alenazi et al (2017)N = 130, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Zhou et al (2017)Human intestinal epithelial cell culture, hDDP4 transgenic miceClinicopathologic Al-Abdley et al (2019)N = 33, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Clinical features • Diarrhea (26%) • Nausea (21%) • Vomiting (21%) • Abdominal pain (17%) (at presentation) N/A GI symptoms in• Community acquired infection: 46.2% • Healthcare associated infection: 46.6% • HAI in healthcare workers: 16% N/A • Vomiting (31%) • Diarrhea (15%) Key findings on investigations N/A • 14.6% stool yielded viral RNA N/A N/A RNA positive stool (57%) did not correlate with presence of GI symptoms Key study findings and message GI symptoms are frequent at presentation • Viral load in stool is significantly lower than in lower respiratory tract • Virus not cultivable from stool MERS-CoV high in healthcare environment • GI symptoms among the commonest extrapulmonary symptoms • Intestinal epithelial cells could support viral replication • Primary gastric infection can lead to respiratory symptoms via hematogenous or lymphatic spread Diarrhea may be associated with prolonged viral detection (p 0.069) COVID-19 Study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Guan et al (2020)N = 1099, confirmed casesRetrospective study To et al (2020)N = 12, suspected casesClinicopathologic study Xie et al (2020)N = 19 suspected (9 confirmed cases)Clinicopathologic study Pan et al (2020)N = 204, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wu et al (2020)N = 74, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Clinical features • Anorexia (39.9) • Diarrhea (10.1) • Nausea (10.1%) • Vomiting (3.6%) • Abdominal pain (2.2%) • Diarrhea (3.8%) • Nausea or vomiting (5%) Diarrhea (11.1% of confirmed) • Any GI symptom: 50.5% • Only GI symptoms: 0.03% • Loss of appetite (39.7% of total, 78.6% of all GI symptoms) • Diarrhea (17.1%, 34%, usually 3/day) • Vomiting (0.02%, 3.9%) • Abdominal pain (0.01%, 1.9%) Diarrhea/Vomit/Stomachache (44.6%) Key findings on investigations N/A N/A • 2019-nCoV detected in 91.7% saliva samples • Virus cultured from 3/12 saliva samples RNA positive stool samples: 88.9% of confirmed (overall 42%) ↑ALT, AST↑ PT↓monocyte count • RNA positive stool samples: 55% Key study findings and message ICU patients more likely to have anorexia and abdominal pain (P < 0.001, P = 0.02) GI symptoms less common • Presence of GI symptoms not associated with stool RNA positivity • Fecal transmission possible • Patients with GI symptoms had longer interval from symptom onset to admission (P = 0.013) • GI symptoms worsened with severity of disease • Patients with GI symptoms more likely to get antibiotics (P = 0.018) • No association presence of GI symptoms with total hospital stay, ICU days or mortality • Presence of GI symptoms not associated with stool positivity • Prolonged fecal viral shedding up to 5 weeks • Disease severity not associated with prolonged fecal viral shedding • Fecal transmission possible ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; CXR, chest x-ray; EM, electron microscopy; F, female; GIT, gastrointestinal tract; HAI, healthcare associated infection; HAI, healthcare associated infection; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; TI, terminal ileumx. On microscopy, acute tubular necrosis has been observed in these patients.91 Viral detection in the urine at the onset was rare but gradually increased with the disease progression and remained detectable up to 30 days after symptom onset.76 , 98 Xu et al reported that 6 patients who died of SARS-CoV had testicular damage, which was also likely secondary to the immune response.99 MERS-CoV MERS-CoV uses the exopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase 4 or CD 26 as its cellular receptor, which is highly expressed in kidneys.100 Renal involvement is as high as 41% and required dialysis more than SARS-CoV patients 4 , 17 , 60 (Table 4). Cha et al reported (n = 30 patients), 60% and 73% of patients with proteinuria and hematuria, respectively, approximately 27% of them developed acute kidney injury within 18 days. Patients with acute kidney injury were older and had elevated levels of albumin to creatinine ratios. Patients requiring renal replacement therapy had a higher mortality. Preexisting chronic kidney disease is also a predictor of poor outcomes.16 , 101 , 102 The virus has been detected in urine and renal tissue and causes apoptosis, suggesting direct viral pathogenicity complements the other mechanisms of renal injury.17 , 61 , 103 COVID-19 Acute renal dysfunction in COVID-19 at the time of presentation is not uncommon.92 , 104 , 105 The incidence of acute kidney injury either at presentation or later is as high as 15% with a high mortality rate of 60-90%106 , 107 (Table 4). Other researchers report albuminuria or proteinuria on admission in 44-63% patients, hematuria in 27%, elevated urea and creatinine in 13-27% and 14-19%, respectively, and low eGFR in 13%.104 , 105 There may also be imaging evidence of active renal edema and inflammation.104 Since renal dysfunction is early, an immunopathology response or direct viral injury may be contributing along with other systemic factors.20 , 92 Similar to other novel CoVs, renal involvement, acute or chronic, tends to associate with an adverse prognosis.22 , 105 , 107 The COVID-19 virus has been detected in renal tissue and in the urine.39 , 70 , 108 Due to the presence of ACE2 receptors in the Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules, it is also reasonable to speculate that testicular injury may be a consequence of COVID-19 infection.109 NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Patients with SARS-CoV presented with ischemic stroke, likely due to the hypercoagulable state and vasculitis induced during the illness110 (Table 5 ). Case reports mentioned the detection of SARS-CoV in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of patients who subsequently developed seizures.111 , 112 Tsai et al studied 4 patients with SARS-CoV who developed neuropathy and myopathy. Since they did not find CSF evidence of viral invasion, they attributed these findings to critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy.113 Table 5 Renal manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Booth et al (2003)N = 144, confirmed casesRetrospective study Choi et al (2003)N = 267 (227 confirmed cases)Retrospective study Zou et al (2004)N = 165, confirmed casesRetrospective study Chan et al (2004)N = 669, (323 tested positive)Clinicopathologic study Huang et al (2004)N = 78, probableRetrospective study Ding et al (2004)N = 8 (4 confirmed cases, 4 control)Clinicopathologic study Chu et al (2005)N = 536, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features Renal dysfunction ARF (6%) during course of hospitalization Renal dysfunction N/A ARF (17%). 7.2 ± 4.3 days after admission N/A ARF (6.7%) within 5-48 days of onset (median 20) Key findings on investigations • ↑ Cr • ↑ Urea • ↓Ca++ (60%) • ↓K+ (26%) • ↓Mg++ (18%) • ↓P+ (27%) • ↑ LDH (87%) ↑ Cr ↑ Cr↑ Urea • Virus first detected in urine on day 7, stared to decline after day 16 ↑ Cr N/A Cr normal at presentation, then ↑ Histopathology N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Virus detected in distal convoluted renal tubule Acute tubular necrosis, no evidence of glomerular pathology Key study findings and message ↑ Urea > ↑ Cr associated with mortality (P = 0.003, P = 0.02) ↑ Cr associated with mortality (P < 0.001, univariate) ↑ Cr, ↑ Urea associated with poor prognosis (P = 0.001, P = 0.003) Virus can persist >30 days after symptom onset in urine • ARF more common in older age, males (P < 0.05), diabetics (P < 0.01), patients with heart failure (P < 0.001) • Renal features may be due to pre-renal factors, hypotension, rhabdomyolysis, comorbidities including diabetes, age ACE2 expressed and virus detected in kidneys • ARF significant risk factor for mortality (P < 0.001) (uni and multivariate) • ARF more likely in older age group, patients with ARDS, and requiring inotropes (P < 0.001) • ↓albumin, ↑ ALT at presentation, ↑ peak CPK after admission associated with development of ARF (P < 0.001, P = 0.004,P < 0.001) • Renal features likely multiorgan failure related, no direct viral pathology MERS Study Assiri et al (2013)N = 47, confirmed casesRetrospective study Arabi et al (2014)N = 12 (11 confirmed cases, 1probable)Case series Saad et al (2014)N = 70, confirmed casesRetrospective study Cha et al (2015)N = 30, confirmed casesRetrospective study Yeung et al (2016)Ex-vivo organ cultureNonhuman primate modelClinicopathologic Alsaad et al (2017)N = 1, confirmed casesClinicopathologic study Clinical feature Coexisting chronic renal disease (49%) • Coexisting chronic renal disease (42%) • ARF requiring RRT (58%) ARF (42.9%) • Coexisting chronic renal disease (10%) • ARF (26.7%) N/A Histopathology N/A N/A N/A N/A Smad7 and FGF2 expression elevated in kidneys of infected animals • Tubular epithelial cell degenerative and regenerative changes • Mild glomerular ischemic changes • Viral particles detected in proximal tubular epithelial cells Key study findings and message Chronic renal disease was a common comorbidity Renal features may be due to:• Cytokine dysregulation • Direct viral invasion • Autoimmune Acute kidney injury is a common complication • AKI more likely in older patients (P = 0.016) • Preexisting CKD not associated with later development of AKI • AKI, RRT risk factors for mortality (univariate) MERS-CoV induced apoptosis via upregulation of Smad7 and FGF2 expression Tissue trophism in kidneys COVID-19 Study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Cheng et al (2020)N = 701, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wang et al (2020)N = 205, confirmed casesClinicopathologic Li et al (2020)N = 193, confirmed casesRetrospective study Zhou et al (2020)N = 191, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical Features • Coexisting chronic renal disease (2.9%) • AKI (3.6%) • Coexisting chronic renal disease (2%) • AKI (3.2%) N/A • AKI (28%) • AKI (15%) (Av 15 days after symptom onset) Key findings on investigations ↑ Cr • ↑ Cr (14.4%) • ↑ Urea (13.1%) • eGFR<60 (13.1%) • Proteinuria (43.9%) • Hematuria (26.7%) No viral detection in urine (72 samples) • ↑ Cr (10%) • ↑ Urea (14.%) • Proteinuria (59%) • Hematuria (44%) ↑ Cr Key study findings and message • ICU patients more likely to have ↑ Cr (P = 0.04), ↑ BUN (0.001) • Cr and urea increased with disease progression • ↑ Cr at admission more common in males, older patients, more severe disease (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.026) • AKI, in hospital death, mechanical ventilation more common in patients with baseline ↑ Cr (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.012) • Higher in hospital death rate with proteinuria, hematuria, baseline ↑ Cr, Urea, AKI Stage 2 or 3 (P < 0.001; P = 0.003 for AKI stage 1) • Renal features may be due to direct viral effect, immune mediated, virus induced cytokines and mediators. No viral shedding in urine AKI associated with severe outcome (P < 0.001) • ↑ Cr associated with in-hospital death (P = 0.045) • Higher incidence of AKI in nonsurvivors (P < 0.001) ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; AKI, acute kidney injury; ARF, acute renal failure; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; CKD, chronic kidney disease; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; Cr, creatinine; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; RRT, rapid response team. Ocular manifestations have not been widely reported in patients with SARS-CoV infection. However, in 1 case report, tears from a female patient were analyzed by PCR and shown to be positive for SARS-CoV when other testing methods were negative. Still, risk of SARS-CoV transmission through tears remains low. MERS-CoV MERS-CoV causes both central and peripheral neurological abnormalities. Neurological symptoms occur later in the course of the illness as weakness and neuropathy and less frequently hypersomnolence and ataxia (Table 5).114 , 115 In a study of 4 patients with neurological symptoms conducted by Kim et al, MERS-CoV was not detected in the CSF, however, patients developed Guillain-Barre’ syndrome, Bickerstaff's encephalitis, critical illness myopathy, viral myopathy or toxin associated myopathy and neuropathy.114 Algahtani et al also report a case of cerebrovascular accident attributable to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and viral-induced autoimmune response.115 The authors are not aware of evidence describing the ocular manifestations of MERS-CoV or the ability to isolate the virus in tear samples. COVID-19 Increasingly recognized sensory symptoms of COVID-19 infection include the sudden onset of anosmia, and, to a lesser extent, dysgeusia (Table 6 ).40 Patients with pre-existing neurological diseases may also have a higher risk for encephalopathy and altered mental status.41 As many as 36.4% patients have neurological symptoms, and these are seen more commonly in patients with severe disease.42 Acute cerebrovascular accidents, altered mental status, and myopathy occurred in approximately one-third of patients. In an observational series of 58 COVID-19 positive patients, Helms et al documented confusion and agitation as the most common neurologic symptoms. Corticospinal tract signs were also evident in nearly two-thirds of patients including increased deep tendon reflexes, ankle clonus and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes.43 One recent case report described acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy in a patient with COVID-19 infection.44 Guillain-Barré syndrome has been observed after the onset of COVID-19 in a few patients presenting with lower-limb weakness and paresthesia as well as facial diplegia and ataxia.45 Neurological involvement is present in more severely affected patients, and patients with central neurologic symptoms also had severe lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and uremia.42 Patients with myopathy have a higher inflammatory response and a higher association with hepatic and renal disease.42 Table 6 Neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Hung et al (2003)N = 1, confirmed casesCase report Lau et al (2004)N = 1, confirmed casesCase report Tsai et al (2004)N = 4, confirmed casesCase reports Tsai et al (2005)N = 664, probableRetrospective study Clinical features Seizures (4 limb twitching) starting day 5, lasting up to 30 min Seizures (GTCS) started on day 22 • Neurological disturbances - 3 weeks after symptom onset • Motor predominant peripheral neuropathy (50%) • Myopathy (25%) • Myopathy and Neuropathy (25%) • Mild hyporeflexia (75%) • Hypesthesia in legs (75%) • Axonopathic polyneuropathy (2) 3-4 weeks after onset • Myopathy (2) • Rhabdomyolysis (3) • Large vessel ischemic stroke (5) Key findings on investigations CSF:• ↑ glucose • SARS-CoV RNA detected CSF:• SARS-CoV RNA detected • Normal cell counts, glucose, opening pressure • Virus not detected in CSF • ↑ CK • ↑ Myoglobin • Nerve conduction studies: ↓ amplitudes of compound muscle action potential (50%) Key study findings and message Symptoms may be due to direct viral pathogenicity Symptoms likely due to critical illness polyneuropathy and/or myopathy • Symptoms likely due to critical illness polyneuropathy and/or myopathy, cannot exclude direct viral attack • Strokes due to hypercoagulable state due to virus, medication related, vasculitis, shock MERS Study Algahtani et al (2016)N = 2, confirmed casesCase report, review Kim et al (2017)N = 23, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features • Neuropathy • Myopathy • Confusion • Ataxia, dizziness • Intracranial hemorrhage • Neurological disturbances – 2-3 weeks after respiratory symptoms • Myalgia • Headache • Confusion • Hypersomnolence • Weakness • Paresthesia • Hyporeflexia Key findings on investigations CSF and nerve conduction studies normal Key study findings and message • Symptoms may be due to critical illness polyneuropathy and/or myopathy • Hemorrhage secondary to DIC, platelet dysfunction • Symptoms may be due to critical illness polyneuropathy and/or myopathy or toxin or viral induced COVID-19 Study Mao et al (2020)N = 214, confirmed casesRetrospective study Filatov et al (2020)N = 1, suspectedCase report Bagheri et al (2020)N = 10069, with olfactory dysfunctionCross-sectional Poyiadji et al (2020)N = 1, confirmed casesCase report Helms et al (2020)N = 58, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features • Neurological symptoms: 36.4% • CNS symptoms: 24.8%, most common dizziness (16.8%), headache (13.1%) • PNS symptoms: 8.9%, most common hypogeusia (5.6%) and hyposmia (5.1%). • Skeletal muscle symptoms: 10.7% Altered mental status • Anosmia/hyposmia (48.23%) • Sudden onset in 76.24% • Associated hypogeusia in 83.38% • Duration: 0-30 days Acute necrotizing encephalopathy • Agitation (69%) • Corticospinal tract signs (67%) • Confusion (65%) • Dysexecutive syndrome (36%) Key findings on investigations N/A • CT Head: no acute changes • EEG: bilateral slowing and focal slowing in the left temporal region with sharply countered waves, possible subclinical seizures • CSF studies: normal N/A • CSF unremarkable (not tested for COVID) • NCCT Head: symmetric hypoattenuation within the bilateral medial thalami • CT angiogram, venogram: normal • MRI Brain: hemorrhagic rim enhancing lesions within the bilateral thalami, medial temporal lobes, and subinsular regions Brain MRI:• Perfusion abnormalities (100% of 11) • Leptomeningeal enhancement (62% of 13) • Ischemic stroke (23% of 13) CSF (N = 7):• Oligoclonal bands (29%) • Elevated IgG and protein (14%) • Low albumin (57%) • Negative RT-PCR in CSF (100%) EEG (N = 8): Nonspecific Key study findings and message • Acute CVA (5.7%), impaired consciousness (14.8%), skeletal muscle injury (19.3%) more likely in severe disease (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) • Patients with CNS symptoms more likely to have lower `lymphocyte and platelet counts and higher BUN (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05) • Patients with muscle injury more likely to have higher neutrophils, CRP, D-dimer and lower lymphocyte count (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.01) • Neurologic symptoms may be due to direct viral pathogenicity via hematogenous or retrograde neuronal spread, immunosuppression, or coagulation disorders Can present with encephalopathy acutely or during hospitalization • High correlation between reported olfactory symptoms and regional reporting of COVID-19 • Olfactory symptoms may be due to neuroepithelia injury and damage to olfactory roots. Cytokine storm (known in influenza, other viral infections, more common in pediatrics) Mechanism unknown, may be due to critical illness–related encephalopathy, cytokines, medication-induced or direct viral pathogenicity. ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; CK, creatine kinase; CNS, central nervous system; CRP, C-reactive protein; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; EEG, electroencephalogram; GTCS, generalized tonic clonic seizures; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NCCT, noncontrast computed tomography; PNS, peripheral nervous system; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging showed leptomeningeal enhancement with bilateral frontotemporal hypoperfusion.43 Electroencephalography showed mostly nonspecific changes with findings consistent with encephalopathy.43 CSF analysis may show oligoclonal bands or elevated IgG levels, however, the significance of these findings is uncertain. Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 are garnering increasing attention. Animal studies show ACE2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, both established receptors for this virus, are expressed in the conjunctiva, although to a lesser extent than in the kidneys and lungs, and lesser in females.46 A study reported conjunctivitis in as many as 31.6% patients, and more commonly in patients with severe disease.47 It has also been reported as the sole initial presentation.48 SARS CoV-2 has been isolated from conjunctival swabs in patients with ocular symptoms and reportedly detected for as many as 27 days after symptom onset.49 Interestingly, an animal model has also shown that the conjunctival route may lead to systemic infection as well, but viral replication in the conjunctiva and chances of virus release into the bloodstream are very low.50 MUSCULOCUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV As many as 60% of patients with SARS-CoV had myalgia with up to 30% presenting with muscle weakness and increased creatinine phosphokinase (Table 6).10 , 34 , 117, 118, 119 However, there was no statistically significant difference in creatinine phosphokinase levels between SARS-CoV patients with ARDS vs. patients without ARDS.117 Muscle weakness was typically symmetric and involves truncal and weakness of the proximal limbs and neck muscles with sparing of the facial and small hand muscles.119 Muscle atrophy may also be the result of steroid myopathy or critical illness myopathy 119 A variable degree of focal myofibril necrosis noted postmortem without evidence of viral particles suggests that muscle damage is likely the result of immune-mediated damage.119 Cutaneous manifestations of SARS-CoV hasn't yet been reported in the literature to the authors’ knowledge. MERS-CoV Myositis and muscle atrophy are less prevalent than SARS-CoV.61 , 120 Muscle weakness was common in patients with MERS-CoV (Table 6).114 Pathologic specimens mimic SARS-CoV specimens with myopathy and inflammatory cells in the areas of myofibril atrophy.61 Similar to SARS-CoV, cutaneous manifestation of MERS-CoV infection is rare and has not been widely reported. COVID-19 Myalgia is also a common presenting symptom of COVID-19 infection, and 36% of patients develop muscle pain during their illness (Table 6).121 High creatinine kinase (CK) levels present in 14% to 33% of patients.22 , 41 , 106 , 122 Patients with suspected COVID-19 and muscle aches were more likely to have abnormal lung imaging findings.122 Higher CK levels noted in ICU-level patients in a study compared to non-ICU patients, although it was not a statistically significant finding. Rhabdomyolosis has been reported in patients with COVID-19 with MYO levels >12,000 ug/L and CK levels >11,000 U/L.123 The cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 are not widely known beyond the dermatology community. From a series of 88 patients 20% developed cutaneous manifestations including erythematous rash, widespread urticaria, and chickenpox like vesicles.124 The most common region involved was the trunk and pruritis was uncommon. Several recent case series have reported a viral exanthum similar to chilblains disease in patients with COVID-19.125 To date, there has been no correlation between cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 and disease severity. HEMATOLOGY MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoVa Reactive lymphocytosis and severe lymphopenia (<500 cells/mm3) are uncommon in patients with SARS (Table 7 ).10 , 126 Patients with SARS-CoV infection often presented with a normal total leukocyte counts.126 , 127 There was no correlation between the degree of leukopenia and disease severity. However, patients with a high initial neutrophil count had worse outcomes.1 Chng et al reported mild to moderate (<1000 cells/mm3) lymphopenia as a common finding in SARS-CoV (70-98% of patients), especially during the first 10 days of illness. Initial hemoglobin levels were often normal but gradually decrease later.10 Thrombocytopenia was present in up to half of the patients, although platelet count levels <100,000 cells/mm3 are rare, and they usually normalized later.128 Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and elevated D-dimer levels were also common abnormalities (63% and 45%, respectively).10 Table 7 Musculoskeletal Manifestation of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Lee et al (2003)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Donnelly et al (2003)N = 1425, confirmed casesRetrospective study Choi et al (2003)N = 267 (227 confirmed cases)Retrospective study Chen et al (2005)N = 67, confirmed casesRetrospective study Leung et al (2005)N = 8, probableClinicopathologic study Yu et al (2006)N = 121, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features Myalgia: 60.9% Myalgia: 50.8% Myalgia: 50% Myalgia/arthralgia: 13.4% N/A Myalgia: 71% Key findings on investigations ↑ CK (32.1%) N/A N/A ↑ CK (20.9%) ↑ CK ↑CK (26%) Histopathology N/A N/A N/A N/A • Focal myofiber coagulative necrosis • Myofiber atrophy in patients who received steroids • No virus detected or cultured N/A Key study findings and message High peak CK predictive of ICU admission and death (univariate, P = 0.04)(Association with CK on admission had P = 0.06) Myalgia commonly reported No significant difference in CK levels in probable and confirmed patients No difference in reporting of myalgia/arthralgia in patients with ARDS vs. without • Higher CK associated with more myofiber necrosis • Myopathy possibly immune mediated, possible component of steroid and critical illness myopathy • ↑CK likely due to myositis as cardiac enzymes normal MERS Study Omrani et al (2013)N = 3, confirmed casesRetrospective study Saad et al (2014)N = 70, confirmed casesRetrospective study Kim et al (2017)N = 23, confirmed casesRetrospective study Alsaad et al (2017)N = 1,Clinicopathologic Signs and symptoms Myalgia or arthralgia: 20% Myalgia or arthralgia: 26.9% N/A Labs ↑ CK N/A Electromyogram in 1 normal N/A Histopathology N/A N/A N/A • Atrophic and myopathic changes • Inflammatory changes in perimysium and endomysium, more in areas of atrophy • Viral particles detected in macrophages infiltrating muscles Key study findings and message Mild/asymptomatic cases may contribute to spread more than recognised Myalgia/arthralgia common nonrespiratory symptom Neuromuscular complications during MERS treatment may be underdiagnosed • Muscle atrophy and inflammation • Viral particles in muscle COVID-19 Study Huang et al (2020)N = 41, confirmed casesRetrospective study Chen et al (2020)N = 99, confirmed casesRetrospective Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed cases, Retrospective study Guan et al (2020)N = 1099, confirmed casesRetrospective study Li et al (2020)N = 1994, confirmed casesMeta-analysis, 10 studies Zhang et al (2020)N = 645, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features Myalgia or fatigue: 44% Myalgia: 11% Myalgia: 34.8% Myalgia or arthralgia: 14.9% Myalgia or fatigue: 35.8% (11-50%) Myalgia:11% Key findings on investigations ↑ CK (33%) ↑ CK (13%) (associated with ↑ myocardial enzymes) ↑CK ↑ CK> = 200 U/mL: 13.7% ↑ CK: 13-33% ↑ CK Key study findings and message No difference in level of CK in ICU and non-ICU patients Muscle ache less commonly reported Higher CK in ICU patients (P = 0.08) Muscle ache less commonly reported • Myalgia or fatigue more commonly reported • 5% case fatality rate overall • Muscle ache at admission associated with more severe/critical disease (P = 0.002) • Higher CK in patients with abnormal imaging (P < 0.05) ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; CK, creatine kinase; ICU, intensive care unit; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The pathogenesis of lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia in SARS has been controversial. In addition to traditional theories, vascular adhesion molecule-1, ligand and severe cytokine storm may play a vital role.129 , 130 Thrombocytopenia could be due to the result of interplay between autoantibodies, immune complexes, increased consumption and decreased production of platelets.128 MERS-CoV Most patients present with a normal total leukocyte count.17 One-third of the patients may present with lymphopenia of <1,500 cells/mm3 and severely low levels during the early stage of the illness 600 cells/mm3 or less (Table 7).16 , 17 Hemoglobin levels are usually normal in patients with MERS-CoV.131 Mild thrombocytopenia was frequently present in critically ill patients with MERS-CoV and indicates poor prognosis.17 , 131 Patients with a fatal form had developed DIC.17 , 132 However, there is a paucity of studies explaining the pathogenesis. COVID-19 Data regarding the hematologic manifestations of COVID-19 infection are emerging. Patients with severe disease may have higher total white cell counts (Table 7) (median 6100 cells/mm3).20 , 21 Otherwise, similar to the other novel coronavirus infections, lymphopenia is a frequent finding, is present in a third of patients.21 , 121 Hence, lymphopenia may help as a reference index.121 However, there may not be any differences in lymphocyte counts between mild and severe forms of COVID-19. Neutrophilia may help to predict ICU admissions. Hemoglobin seems to be mostly unaffected by COVID-19 infection. DIC is a rare complication.21 In general, mild thrombocytopenia is present in one-third of patients.21 Patients requiring ICU admissions are seen to have higher levels of D-dimer.14 A meta-analysis of 9 studies showed significantly higher PT and d-dimer levels in patients with more severe disease, indicating the likelihood of DIC or a highly inflammatory state.56 The incidence of thromboembolic events in these patients is garnering a lot of attention. A study conducted by Llitjos et al found a 69% incidence of thromboembolic events, with a 56% incidence even in patients treated with therapeutic anticoagulation.57 Increased levels of circulatory cytokines, ferritin, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin also seem to correlate with the severity of the disease.34 , 58 OBSTETRICS MANIFESTATIONS SARS-CoV Although the data are limited for SARS-CoV in pregnancy, evidence suggests poorer clinical outcomes for pregnant women. Reports are available for 12 pregnant women in Hong Kong and 2 in the United States (Table 8 ).133 Among the twelve women in Hong Kong, pregnancy did not appear to impact the initial clinical presentation of SARS. Four of the 7 women presenting in the first trimester miscarried, though this finding is confounded by treatment with the purported teratogen Ribavirin in 6 patients. When compared to matched controls (n = 10), the rate of ICU admission was significantly higher in the pregnant group (60% vs. 17.5%, P = 0.012). Three pregnant women died, whereas no women died in the matched nonpregnant group (P = 0.01).123 Of the 5 women presenting in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, 4 delivered preterm, 1 spontaneously due to preterm labor and 3 iatrogenic due to worsening maternal status.124 Table 8 Hematological manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Lee et al (2003)N = 138, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wong et al (2003)N = 157, confirmed casesRetrospective Chng et al (2005)N = 185, confirmed casesRetrospective study Yang et al (2013)Review Key findings on investigations • Moderate lymphopenia (69.6%), continued to drop • Thrombocytopenia on admission (44.8%) • ↑D-Dimer (45%) • Prolonged aPTT(42.8%) • Leukopenia on admission (33.9%) • Reactive lymphocytes in peripheral blood (15.2%) • Lymphopenia (98%) • Neutrophilia (82%) • Prolonged apTT (63%) • Hb↓ by >20g/L (61%) • Thrombocytopenia (55%) • Thrombocytosis (49%), • DIC (2.5%) • ↓ CD4+, CD8+ cells • Moderate lymphopenia (61.5%, 80.6% at days 5,10) • Leukopenia (19.7%, 50%) • Severe lymphopenia (9.8, 18.9%) • Severe leukopenia (3.3%, after day 5) • Thrombocytopenia (2.5%, 6.6% at days 5, 10) • Severe neutropenia (1.6%, 5%) • Reactive lymphocytes absent V shaped trend of cell lines:• Hb nadir: Day 12 • WBC (ANC) nadir: Day 7 or 8 • Platelet nadir: Day 6 or 7 • Prolonged ↓ lymphocytes in ICU group, no recovery by Day 12 • Lymphopenia (68-100%) • Thrombocytopenia (20-55%) • Leukopenia (19.4-64%) • Thrombocytosis in recovery with elevated TPO Histopathology N/A Lymphopenia in lymphoid organs on postmortem, including splenic white pulp N/A N/A Key study findings and message Neutrophilia associated with ICU care or death (P = 0.02) ↓ CD4+, CD8+ cells at presentation associated with ICU care or death (P = 0.029, 0.006) White count and ANC associated with ICU admission (univariate) `(P = 0.034, 0.021) Mechanism of thrombocytopenia:• Direct viral attack on hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocytes • Immune mediated • Secondary to lung damage MERS Study Assiri et al (2013)N = 47, confirmed casesRetrospective study Arabi et al (2014)N = 12, (11 confirmed cases, 1 suspected)Case series Clinical features Preexisting malignancy (2%) Key findings on investigations • Thrombocytopenia (36%) • Lymphopenia (34%) • Lymphocytosis (11%) • Lymphopenia (75%, 92% on presentation, in ICU) • Thrombocytopenia (16.6%, 58% on presentation, in ICU) Key study findings and message Hematological manifestations common, lymphopenia most common Lymphopenia commonly seen COVID-19 Study Chen et al (2020)N = 99, confirmed casesRetrospective study Wang et al (2020)N = 138, confirmed cases Retrospective study Guan et al (2020)N = 1099, confirmed casesRetrospective study Li et al (2020)N = 1994, confirmed casesMeta-analysis, 10 studies Tang et al (2020)N = 449, confirmed casesProspective study Zhou et al (2020)N = 191, confirmed casesRetrospective study Clinical features N/A Preexisting malignancy (7.2%) Preexisting malignancy (0.9%) N/A N/A Preexisting malignancy (1%) Key findings on investigations • ↓Hb (51%) • Neutrophilia (38%) • ↑D-dimer (36%) • Lymphopenia (35%) • ↓PT (30%) • Leukocytosis (24%) • ↓aPTT (16%) • Thrombocytopenia (12%) • Leukopenia (9%) • Thrombocytosis (4%) • ↑aPTT (6%) • ↑PT (5%) • Lymphopenia (70.3%), • ↑PT (58%) • Lymphocytopenia on admission (83.2%) • ↑D-dimer (46.4%) • Thrombocytopenia (36.2%) • Leukopenia (33.7%) • DIC (0.1%) • Lymphocytopenia (64.5%) • Leukocytopenia (29.4%) ↑D-dimer • Lymphopenia (40%) • ↑D-dimer (42%) Key study findings and message Various hematological abnormalities commonly seen • Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, ↑D-dimer more common in ICU patients (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P = 0.03, P < 0.001) • Lymphopenia worsened with disease severity More severe derangements in more severe disease • Lymphocytopenia and leukocytopenia more common lab abnormalities • Lymphocytopenia may be used as reference index for coronavirus diagnosis • 28-day mortality of heparin users and nonusers similar (P = 0.910) • 28-day mortality of heparin users less than nonusers in patients with SIC score>/ = 4 (P = 0.29), or with D-dimer >6x normal (0.017) • Leukocytosis, ↑D-dimer, ↑PT associated with in-hospital death (P < 0.0001) • ↓D-dimer not solely due to sepsis, but possible underlying thromboembolic event, patients should be managed as such. (Comment by Oudkerk et al) ANC, absolute neutrophil count; aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation; Hb, hemoglobin; ICU, intensive care unit; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; PT, prothrombin time; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; TPO, thyroperoxidase; WBC, white blood cell count. There was no evidence of transplacental or intrapartum vertical transmission of SARS-CoV (Table 8).134, 135, 136 However, there may be hypoxia-induced placental blood flow alterations, consequent increased placental fibrin deposition, and thrombotic vasculopathy, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction in women who deliver after convalescence.134 , 137 MERS-CoV Pregnant women with symptomatic MERS-CoV infection may be at a higher risk of adverse events. There are 9 reported cases of symptomatic MERS-CoV in pregnant women, and 7 of them required ICU admission, 5 required mechanical ventilation, and 3 died (Table 8).138 One case report of a term delivery in a recovered patient and another report of a patient delivered preterm while in the active phase of infection showed negative viral testing in the infant.138 , 139 There are 2 reported cases of asymptomatic MERS-CoV infection in pregnant women, both identified via contact tracing. One was identified at 6 weeks gestation, and the other at 24 weeks. Both had healthy term deliveries.140 Based on available epidemiologic data, it is unclear whether pregnant women with MERS-CoV have worse outcomes, though 3 deaths among eleven reported cases are concerning compared to an 8.9% death rate reported in a nonpregnant female population.141 COVID-19 Unlike SARS-CoV and MER-CoV, the risk of severe COVID-19 disease in the pregnant population compares favorably to the general population.116 Recently, a World Health Organization mission group studied 147 pregnant women with COVID-19, 65 confirmed and 82 presumed, of whom 8% had severe disease, and 1% were critical with multiorgan failure (Table 8). As the rate of adverse events seemed less compared to the general population (13.8% severe and 6.1% critical), the mission concluded that pregnant women might not be at increased risk.142 However, this determination may evolve with more data (Table 9 ) Table 9 Obstetrics and gynecology manifestations of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and COVID-19. SARS (only studies with large study population included) Study Robertson et al (2004)N = 1, confirmed cases (19 weeks)Case report Wong et al (2004)N = 12, confirmed casesRetrospective study Lam et al (2004)N = 10 pregnant, 40 nonpregnant confirmed casesCase-control study Stockman et al (2004)N = 1, confirmed case (7 weeks)Case report Ng et al (2009)7 placentasClinicopathologic study Clinical features Healthy infant at term via C-section (due to placenta previa) • Spontaneous miscarriage (57%) in first trimester pregnancies (confounded by treatment with Ribavirin) • Preterm delivery (80%) in >24 weeks gestation • IUGR (16.6%) • ICU admission: 60% (pregnant) vs. 18% (nonpregnant) (P = 0.01) • Renal failure: 30% vs. 0 (P = 0.01) • Sepsis: 20% vs 0 (P = 0.04) • DIC: 20% vs 0 (P = 0.04) • Death: 30% vs 0 (P = 0.01) (2/3 in second and third trimesters)• Hospital stay longer in pregnant patients (P = 0.01) • Spontaneous PROM • Healthy infant via C-section (due to fetal distress) • Preterm birth (delivery in acute infection) • IUGR, oligohydramnios, SGA (convalescent after third trimester infection) Key findings on investigations N/A Newborns tested negative for SARS ↑LDH in pregnant patients(P = 0.04, <0.0001) Cord blood, placenta, breast milk negative for antibodies N/A Histopathology N/A N/A N/A N/A Convalescent, infection in third trimester: Extensive fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV), sharply demarcated areas of necrotic villi Key study findings and message Healthy mother and infant, no vertical transmission No perinatal SARS infection Physiologic pregnancy related changes in immune system and respiratory mechanics • No vertical transmission • Antibody formation may be influenced by gestation at infection FTV possibly due to pro-thrombotic state, induced directly by virus, or hypoxia MERS Study Alserehi et al (2016)N = 1, confirmed case (32 weeks)Case report Assiri et al (2016)N = 5, confirmed cases (all ≥22 weeks)Case series, retrospective Jeong et al (2017)N = 1, confirmed caseCase report, review Alfaraj et al (2019)N = 2, confirmed cases (6 weeks and 24 weeks)Case report, review Clinical features Healthy infant at 32 weeks via C-section • All required ICU • 1 stillbirth, 1 neonatal death • 2 patients died • Asymptomatic patient • Healthy infant at 37 weeks via C-section due to placental abruption • Asymptomatic patients • ICU care (54%) • Death (27%) (1 infected in second trimester, 2 in third) • Infant death rate: 27% • Case fatality rate: 35% (similar to nonpregnant, P = 0.75) Key findings on investigations Infant negative for MERS-CoV N/A No neonatal IgG N/A Key study findings and message Younger age, infection in later gestational period and immune response may contribute to successful outcome Infection may be associated with maternal and perinatal death and disease Healthy mother and infant, benign course Case fatality similar to nonpregnant cases COVID-19 Study Chen et al (2020)N = 9, confirmed casesRetrospective study WHO-China Joint Mission (2020)N = 147 pregnant (64 confirmed cases, 82 suspected,1 asymptomatic) Zhu et al (2020)N = 10 neonates, 9 mothers (1 twin)Retrospective study Liu et al (2020)N = 13 confirmed cases (2 < 28weeks)Retrospective study Schwartz (2020)N = 38, confirmed casesReview Chen et al (2020)N = 118, confirmed or suspectedRetrospective study Clinical features • Similar to other COVID-19 patients, no severe pneumonia or death • Fetal distress in 2 • All live births, no complications • 8% severe disease (general: 13.8%) • 1% critical (general: 1%) Mothers: Similar to other COVID-19 patientsNeonates:• Intrauterine distress, PROM • 4 FT, 6 premature • 2 SGA, 1 LGA • Shortness of breath (6) • Fever • Vomiting • Pneumothorax • ↑HR Mothers:• Similar to other COVID-19 patients, 1 asymptomatic • 7.6% required ICU care (general 5%) Neonates:• Preterm labor (46%) • C-section (77%) • Fetal distress 3/10 • PROM 1/10 • Stillbirth 1/10) No maternal deaths Outcomes:• Live births: 70/7 • Preterm: 14/68 (iatrogenic 8/14) • Spontaneous abortion: 9 (8%) • C-section due to COVID concerns: 38/62 Neonates:• Deaths: 0 • Asphyxia: 0 • Median APGAR score: 8-9 Key findings on investigations Amniotic fluid, cord blood, breastmilk, neonate negative for virus N/A Neonates:Thrombocytopenia with abnormal liver function N/A N/A N/A Message No vertical transmission in patients with COVID-19 in late pregnancy Pregnant women do not appear to be at higher risk No vertical transmission detected Infection may increase risk to mothers and neonates No maternal-fetal transmission (30-40 weeks of gestation) • No increased risk of severe disease in pregnant women. • Exacerbation of respiratory symptoms in postpartum period likely related to pathophysiological changes. DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation; FT, full term; Hb, hemoglobin; HR, heart rate; ICU, intensive care unit; IUGR, intrauterine growth restriction; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; LGA, large for gestational age; MERS-CoV, middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus; PROM, premature rupture of membranes; SARS-COV, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SGA, small for gestational age. There are a few case reports and mini case series discussing the late trimester pregnancy and COVID-19. A study on 38 third trimester pregnant women did not show any severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation or maternal deaths, despite co-morbid conditions. There were also no fetal or neonatal deaths.143 Another study (13 women in the second and third trimesters) reported 1 ARDS and septic shock case with a stillbirth at 34 weeks of gestation.144 Other reports on women with gestational ages of 25-39 weeks raise concern for an increased risk of preterm rupture of membranes and preterm delivery.144, 145, 146 However, in contrast, a retrospective study of 16 pregnant women infected with COVID-19 compared with 45 noninfected pregnant women showed no differences in preterm labor or preterm delivery, though the youngest gestational age included was only 35 weeks. Also, there was no difference in birth weight between the 2 groups.143 Pathophysiology in obstetric patients could be due to naturally suppressed cell-mediated immunity and physiologic respiratory changes.133 A noteworthy observation by Abbas et al has been an increasing incidence of hydatiform moles with the onset of the pandemic. The majority of these cases were primigravidae without other risk factors. They suggest an immune mediated mechanism triggered by the virus and recommend COVID testing in all women with hydatiform moles.65 Currently, there is no evidence of vertical transmission of COVID-19, as confirmed by negative viral PCR in 30 neonates.143 One study of 6 women showed no detectable virus in amniotic fluid, cord blood and breastmilk, nor on a neonatal throat swab.146 There is a paucity of data regarding COVID-19 infection in the first and second trimesters. A study investigating the possibility of sexual transmission of COVID-19 found no virus in the vaginal discharge of 35 COVID-19-infected nonpregnant patients, possibly due to the lack of ACE2 expression in the vagina.147 CONCLUSIONS The current COVID-19 pandemic is the third major global illness due to a novel coronavirus. Understanding COVID-19 along with the other known novel CoVs places the newest coronavirus in context. We presented the similarities and differences in pathogenesis, manifestations and outcomes with respect to a spectrum of extra-pulmonary orgran systems. Increasing knowledge about COVID-19 literature will aid in earlier recognition and more effective therapy.

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