What happens when COVID-19 infects the body?
At present many researchers are struggling to continue to study the intricacies of COVID-19. One of the studies that have been done is that the body’s organs can be attacked by this virus. As previously stated in the material “Smoker and COVID-19”, this virus binds to a receptor called ACE2 in our body.
A: Tissue distribution of ACE2 receptors in humans, or viremia.
B: Disseminates the COVID-19 virus throughout the body via the bloodstream.
C: Neurotropism (the ability of the virus to invade and live on a nerve network) may occur via circulation and/or an upper nasal trancribrial route that enables the COVID-19 to reach the brain.
D: Bind and engage with the ACE2 receptors (D, blue). COVID-19 docks on the ACE2 via spike protein.
The picture above shows that the lungs, heart, kidneys, intestines, brain and testicles are places where ACE2 receptors are located which means they can be targeted by the COVID-19 virus.
Reference:
Baig, A. M., Khaleeq, A., Ali, U., Syeda, H. (2020). Evidence of the COVID-19 Virus Targeting the CNS: Tissue Distribution, Host-Virus Interaction, and Proposed Neurotropic Mechanisms. American Chemical Society Public Health Emergency Collection. (doi: 10.1021 / acschemneuro.0c00122).
(Article by the WELLNESS TEAM – Fullerton Health Indonesia)
