Increased Hepatic Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Points and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Cirrhosis

Abstract

It has been recently reported that patients with cirrhosis have significantly higher mortality following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavrisu 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection compared with those without.^1,2 Specifically, it was demonstrated that mortality was greater in those with advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B and C), and that from cirrhotic patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 infection, close to half suffer acute decompensation including acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).² Unfortunately, the presence of hepatic decompensation at baseline has been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).¹ Patients with decompensated cirrhosis contracting COVID-19 have a poor outcome, with an overall reported mortality of over 30%.¹.