Could SARS-CoV-2 be associated with emphysematous gastritis?

Abstract

A 90-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department with symptomatology of fever, cough, dyspnea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed fever, tachypnea, hypoxemia, bibasal crackles and diffuse abdominal pain. Nasopharyngeal swabs were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on RT-PCR test. The blood test showed lymphopenia (0.67 × 10³/µL), neutrophilia (7.58 × 10³/µL), lactic acidosis (pH 7.29, lactate 8.7 mmol/L), elevated C-reactive protein (2.50 mg/dL) and procalcitonin (7.32 ng/mL). Chest x-ray revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities that suggested coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Abdominal CT scan showed diffuse gastric pneumatosis with progression to the esophagus and duodenum (Figs. 1A/B and 2A), associated with hepatic portal venous gas (Fig. 2B). These findings were compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia associated with severe emphysematous gastritis and massive gastric distension. Supportive care and broad-spectrum antibiotic were prescribed. The patient, however, showed respiratory worsening and he died during admission.Fig. 2Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with sagittal (A) and coronal (B) sections showing hepatic portal venous gas and diffuse gastric pneumatosis.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Emphysematous gastritis is a severe infection caused by gas-forming bacteria, with a high risk of mortality [[1]Singhania N. Bansal S. Singhania G. et al.Emphysematous gastritis.J Emerg Med. 2020; 59: e259-e261Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar]. On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 is associated with several gastrointestinal disorders due to the invasion of the gastrointestinal angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receiver and hypercoagulability caused by vascular endothelial cell injury. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of emphysematous gastritis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further research is needed to establish this relationship.