Potential Affection of the Salivary Glands in Infection By SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

Andrés Melián Rivas & Camila Boin Bakit

Summary

The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest pathology of international concern. Originating in Wuhan, China, it spread rapidly globally, which is why it was declared a public health emergency. Produced by SARS-CoV-2 it belongs to the genus of betacoronaviruses together with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to use angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for entry into a host cell. Various studies have demonstrated the expression of this receptor in various organs and tissues, within which the oral cavity and salivary glands have been reported, which have received vital importance in recent times due to their importance as a potential reservoir for this virus. The objective of this review is to understand the role of the salivary glands as a potential reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 and its associated manifestations.

KEY WORDS: Salival gland, COVID -19, SARSCoV-2, ACE2.

How to cite this article

MELIÁN, R. A. & BOIN, B. C. Potential affection of the salivary glands in infection by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Int. J. Odontostomat., 15(2):320-324, 2021.