Traumatic jejunal perforation associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection

Jonathan Kopel; Luong Linda; Irfan Warraich; Grant Sorensen; Gregory L Brower

doi:10.1080/08998280.2020.1866476

Traumatic jejunal perforation associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2021 Jan 28;34(3):364-366. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2020.1866476.

Authors

Jonathan Kopel¹, Luong Linda², Irfan Warraich³, Grant Sorensen¹, Gregory L Brower⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
² Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
³ Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
⁴ Department of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.

Abstract

Several case reports have suggested that COVID-19 may increase the risk of gastrointestinal perforation. We report a case of a gastrointestinal perforation developing in a COVID-19 patient who presented due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident. On admission, the patient had elevated white blood cells, with neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Histological examination of tissue surrounding the perforation revealed extensive infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells into the intestinal mucosa. These findings are consistent with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, further pathophysiological studies are needed to assess the mechanisms by which COVID-19 may damage the gastrointestinal mucosa leading to gastrointestinal perforation.

Keywords: COVID-19; gastrointestinal; jejunum; perforation; trauma.

Publication types

Case Reports