Coronavirus can pass through the nasal mucosa to our brain



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The researchers performed an autopsy on 33 human brains, from which samples confirmed the presence of small amounts of the coronavirus. It can enter various organs, enters the brain through part of the nasopharynx and mucous membrane. While the virus allegations weren’t huge, scientists warn to be vigilant. Viruses don’t normally have this ability, just some of them.

Dangerous neurological changes

Recent studies have revealed that the coronavirus’s behavior in the human body suggests a possible cause for many of the neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19. These include loss of smell and taste, headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, according to Science Alert.

The researchers performed 33 brain autopsies of COVID-19 victims and found viral particles in the endothelial cells of the nasopharynx, which is considered to be one of the most common areas of virus replication.

“All 33 people needed mechanical ventilation and had COVID-19 associated lung disease at the time of the autopsy. Of these, nine people did not receive ventilation according to the wishes of the person concerned. Thirty-one individuals showed positivity by PCR of quantitative reverse transcription on SARS-CoV-2. Two individuals showed a clinical picture highly suggestive of COVID-19, the authors state in the study results.

In addition, they found viral RNA in the upper part of the nose, that is, in the mucosa. Also in different areas of the brain. The rest of the genetic material found was minimal, but it could also be due to the fact that the autopsy took place on average a month after death.

covid crossing the nasopharynx

zdroj: Nature / Articles / Olfactory invasion of transmucosal SARS-CoV-2

While it may not be possible to determine exactly how the virus travels inside individual brain cells, the same proteins found outside SARS-CoV-2 have also been found in cells identified by scientists as neurons in some patients. This suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may somehow trace the path around the blood-brain barrier. and enters the brain through the long fibrous protrusions of the olfactory nerves. This barrier it serves to protect the brain and in most cases the virus cannot overcome it.

There are more inputs, but scientists still don’t know how many

However, the nasal neurons that transmit SARS-CoV-2 to the brain are only one of the portals of entry. The results show that some areas of the brain affected with traces of RNA had no direct connection with the olfactory mucosa and were more involved in respiration and cardiovascular control, suggesting that the virus enters in other ways.

covid crossing the nasopharynx

zdroj: Nature / Articles / Transgingival olfactory invasion of SARS-CoV-2

It could also cross endothelial cells, as suggested by other studies, or “reticulate” into another cell that is allowed to cross the blood-brain barrier, for example to carry vital resources. The question necessarily needs more in-depth studies, and therefore the results obtained so far are only in the phase of possible evaluation of the causes, not of the conclusions.



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