Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review

SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in multiple organs and fluids, including the liver and peritoneal fluid. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, can exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes by contributing to complications, like acid–base imbalances and cardiovascular d...

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Main Authors: Grazia Caci, Andrea Marino, Edoardo Campanella, Ylenia Russotto, Cristina Micali, Natascia Laganà, Aldo Sitibondo, Roberto Filomia, Antonino Botindari, Serena Spampinato, Giuseppe Mancuso, Angelina Midiri, Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò, Giuseppe Nunnari, Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:COVID
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/4/58
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author Grazia Caci
Andrea Marino
Edoardo Campanella
Ylenia Russotto
Cristina Micali
Natascia Laganà
Aldo Sitibondo
Roberto Filomia
Antonino Botindari
Serena Spampinato
Giuseppe Mancuso
Angelina Midiri
Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò
Giuseppe Nunnari
Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
author_facet Grazia Caci
Andrea Marino
Edoardo Campanella
Ylenia Russotto
Cristina Micali
Natascia Laganà
Aldo Sitibondo
Roberto Filomia
Antonino Botindari
Serena Spampinato
Giuseppe Mancuso
Angelina Midiri
Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò
Giuseppe Nunnari
Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
author_sort Grazia Caci
collection DOAJ
description SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in multiple organs and fluids, including the liver and peritoneal fluid. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, can exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes by contributing to complications, like acid–base imbalances and cardiovascular dysfunction, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions. We report three cases of COVID-19 cirrhotic patients with SARS-CoV-2 detected in their ascitic fluid and review the relevant literature on the virus’s presence and clinical significance in peritoneal fluid. These findings underscore diagnostic and prognostic challenges in managing COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease and highlight the need for further research to clarify viral dissemination mechanisms and optimize protective measures for healthcare workers during surgical procedures.
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spelling doaj-art-80d5a22b94514528a628db72f8b7966b2025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGCOVID2673-81122025-04-01545810.3390/covid5040058Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature ReviewGrazia Caci0Andrea Marino1Edoardo Campanella2Ylenia Russotto3Cristina Micali4Natascia Laganà5Aldo Sitibondo6Roberto Filomia7Antonino Botindari8Serena Spampinato9Giuseppe Mancuso10Angelina Midiri11Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò12Giuseppe Nunnari13Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo14Infectious Disease Department, University Hospital Policlinico “G. Rodolico- San Marco” of Catania, 95121 Catania, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDivision of Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Department of Adult and Childhood Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, ItalyUnit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalySARS-CoV-2 has been identified in multiple organs and fluids, including the liver and peritoneal fluid. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, can exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes by contributing to complications, like acid–base imbalances and cardiovascular dysfunction, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions. We report three cases of COVID-19 cirrhotic patients with SARS-CoV-2 detected in their ascitic fluid and review the relevant literature on the virus’s presence and clinical significance in peritoneal fluid. These findings underscore diagnostic and prognostic challenges in managing COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease and highlight the need for further research to clarify viral dissemination mechanisms and optimize protective measures for healthcare workers during surgical procedures.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/4/58COVID-19ascitic fluidperitonitisperitoneal fluidliver diseaseviral hepatitis
spellingShingle Grazia Caci
Andrea Marino
Edoardo Campanella
Ylenia Russotto
Cristina Micali
Natascia Laganà
Aldo Sitibondo
Roberto Filomia
Antonino Botindari
Serena Spampinato
Giuseppe Mancuso
Angelina Midiri
Giovanni Francesco Pellicanò
Giuseppe Nunnari
Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
COVID
COVID-19
ascitic fluid
peritonitis
peritoneal fluid
liver disease
viral hepatitis
title Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
title_full Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
title_fullStr Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
title_short Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ascitic Fluid of Cirrhotic COVID-19 Patients: Case Series and Literature Review
title_sort detection of sars cov 2 in ascitic fluid of cirrhotic covid 19 patients case series and literature review
topic COVID-19
ascitic fluid
peritonitis
peritoneal fluid
liver disease
viral hepatitis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/5/4/58
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