- Researchers have discovered that people who have acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus are at risk of contracting the new coronavirus in an unusual way through food.
- People who suffer from Barrett’s esophagus develop intestinal cells in the esophagus after prolonged acid reflux. These cells have receptors that can bind to the coronavirus.
- However, there is no evidence that people suffering from Barrett have higher COVID-19 contracts or are at greater risk than anyone else. But more research is needed to determine the true risk of infection in this category of patients.
More than a year has passed since the first infection with the new coronavirus was confirmed, so most people need to know how the virus spreads. Droplets and aerosols caused by coughing, sneezing and talking can spread through the air and enter other people’s upper airways. The virus is transmitted through the nose, mouth or eyes and spreads in local cells. Eventually it reaches the lungs, this is where it does the most damage.
Therefore, face masks, social distance, hand washing and proper ventilation of indoor spaces are advised. There is also the risk of infection by touching infected surfaces, although it is droplets and aerosols that are the main driver of infection. But researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis assumes that some people in an unusual way run the risk of being infected: eating food.
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In the early days of the pandemic, we learned that food does not spread COVID-19. The virus binds to ACE2 receptors in the nose and lungs, but not in the digestive tract. Gastric acid can destroy particles found in food. Cooking food will also destroy the virus. Health experts still advised people to wash their hands regularly when handling food brought home before preparing meals or handling deliveries. In the following months, health authorities, including the WHO, further emphasized the idea that food packaging transfer is unlikely.
The researchers in St. Louis discovered something that does not apply to all people who may be exposed to the virus. They studied patients suffering from a condition called Barrett’s esophagus and developed esophageal cells that could bind to the new coronavirus.
Acid (or gastric) reflux can damage the esophagus in the long run, including the changes in cells that begin to look like intestinal cells. These cells have ACE2 receptors so that the virus can bind to them as it travels through the esophagus.
“There is still no evidence that people with Barrett’s esophagus have higher COVID-19 doses, or that they are at greater risk, but part of the reason for this is because they have not been studied,” said Dr. Jason C. Mills said in a statement. . “Now that we’ve linked these dots, it might be worthwhile to see if people with Barrett have higher infection rates.”
People who suffer from Barrett’s esophagus often take a type of remedy called proton pump inhibitors to suppress acid secretions. As a result, the acidity of the stomach is reduced, which can have another side effect. More viruses can move through the stomach and then bind to receptors in the gut.
About one in five people in the U.S. suffers from stomach reflux, but that does not mean that they are all at risk of contracting the virus through food. The researchers have shown via laboratory experiments that the virus can bind to modified cells in the esophagus, but this is not evidence that it happens in real life. It is also unclear what would happen if someone suffering from Barrett contracted the virus only through food, but not through the airways.
However, the researchers point out that if a person already has low levels of viruses in their respiratory tract, they may contain secretions containing the virus, which would bind to the abnormal cells in the lower part of the esophagus. It may make them sicker, but these are all speculations that need to be investigated further. What scientists have proven so far is that the virus can indeed bind to esophageal cells in Barrett’s
Many COVID-19 patients do develop gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, it is unclear whether Barrett’s may affect these symptoms or increase the severity of COVID-19.
“The concern is that especially for Barrett patients, there may be a susceptibility to infection by foods that contain viral particles,” Mills said. “This study provides data to indicate that we need to take a closer look to see if a large portion of the population is susceptible to infection by what they swallow.”
Chris Smith started writing about hobbies as a hobby, and before he knew it, he shared his views on technological things with readers around the world. If he does not write about equipment, he can not stay in it, even though he is desperately trying. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.