- Researchers found that people suffering from acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus are at risk of contracting the new coronavirus through food in an unusual way.
- People suffering 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 who suffer from Barrett are more likely to get COVID-19 or are at greater risk than anyone else. But more research is needed to determine the actual 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 should know how the virus spreads. Drops and aerosols generated by coughing, sneezing, and talking can spread through the air and enter other people’s upper airways. The virus enters through the nose, mouth or eyes and starts to spread in local cells. It eventually reaches the lungs, where it causes the most damage.
That is why face masks, social distance, hand washing and good ventilation of indoor areas are advised. There is also a risk of infection from touching contaminated surfaces, although the main causes of infection are droplets and aerosols. But researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis hypothesize that some people are at risk for infection in an unusual way: 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. Heartburn can destroy particles that may be present in food. Cooking the food also destroys the virus. Health experts still advised people to wash their hands often when handling food brought home before preparing meals or handling deliveries. In the months that followed, health authorities, including the WHO, highlighted the notion that transmission via food packaging 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 who suffer from a condition called Barrett’s esophagus who develop esophageal cells that can bind to the new coronavirus.
Acid (or stomach) reflux can cause long-term damage to the esophagus, including the modifications of cells that become like intestinal cells. These cells come with ACE2 receptors so that the virus can bind to them while passing through the esophagus.
“There is no evidence yet that people with Barrett’s esophagus get more COVID-19 or are at greater risk, but part of the reason is that it hasn’t been studied,” said Dr. Jason C. Mills in a statement. . “Now that we’ve linked these points, it may be worthwhile to see if people with Barrett have more infections.”
People suffering from Barrett’s esophagus routinely use a type of medication called proton pump inhibitors to suppress acid secretions. As a result, the acidity of the stomach is lowered, which can have another side effect. More viruses can pass through the stomach and then bind to receptors in the gut.
About one in five people in the US suffers from gastric reflux, but that doesn’t mean they are all at risk of contracting the virus from food. The researchers have shown through laboratory experiments that the virus can bind to modified cells in the esophagus, but that is not proof that it happens in real life. It is also unclear what would happen if a person suffering from Barrett contracted the virus only through food, but not through the respiratory tract.
However, the researchers point out that if a person already has a low level of virus in their respiratory tract, they can swallow secretions containing the virus, which would bind to the abnormal cells in the lower esophagus. This may make them sicker, but these are all speculations that require further investigation. What the scientists have proven so far is that the virus can indeed bind to esophageal cells in Barrett’s
Many COVID-19 patients develop gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. But it’s unclear whether Barrett’s can affect these symptoms or increase the severity of COVID-19.
“The concern would be that, particularly for Barrett’s patients, there may even be a susceptibility to infection from foods containing viral particles,” Mills said. “This study provides data to indicate that we need to look more closely at whether a substantial portion of the population is susceptible to infection from what they ingest.”
Chris Smith started writing about gadgets as a hobby and before he knew it, he shared his thoughts on tech matters with readers around the world. When not writing about gadgets, he sadly fails to stay away from them, although he desperately tries. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.