The results of the first-of-its-kind study by a group of scientists from several US research centers have so far published to medRxiv medical preprint servers.
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Until now, most research has focused on how SARS-CoV-2 enters the body, affecting the mucosal cells of the upper and lower respiratory tract. However, as the authors of the new publication have established, the oral cavity is no less suitable “entry point” for the virus, which only further proves the importance of wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.
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By examining samples of cells in the oral mucosa of patients with COVID-19, scientists have found that the coronavirus successfully penetrates the salivary glands, where it actively multiplies. In some cases, this leads to a more severe form of the disease, as the infected saliva enters the gastrointestinal tract when swallowed. In addition, small droplets of such viral-containing saliva can enter the lungs when breathing, increasing the risk of pneumonia… Infected droplets of saliva that fly out of the mouth of an infected person when exhaling, talking or coughing are the main vectors of infection to others.
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In addition to the cells of the salivary glands, the virus also infects the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa, tongue and palatine tonsils.
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The fact is that there are many ACE2 receptors on the surface of these cells, which SARS-CoV-2 uses to penetrate and capture.
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“Our results demonstrate that the oral route of infection in COVID-19 may be underestimated – noted study lead author Kevin M. Byrd of North Carolina State University. “Like a nasal infection, an oral infection may be at the root of the asymptomatic spread of the virus that makes the pandemic so difficult to stop.”
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