Skin Tissue: A Place for SARS-CoV-2 to Multiply and Transmit?

September 2021 in “ Advances in skin & wound care ”

Mohammad Rafi Khezri, Morteza Ghasemnejad‐Berenji, Reza Jafari

SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 sweat glands sweat ducts ACE2 sebaceous gland cells basal epidermal layers hair follicle cells endothelial cells systemic infection hair loss coronavirus virus receptors skin infection blood vessels

TLDR SARS-CoV-2 might infect and multiply in skin tissue, possibly aiding in its transmission.

The document discusses the potential of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, to infect and multiply in skin tissue. It highlights that the virus has been found in sweat glands and sweat ducts, suggesting the possibility of transmission through sweat. The virus's receptors, such as ACE2, have been found in sebaceous gland cells, basal epidermal layers, and hair follicle cells, indicating the potential for skin infection. The virus has also been found in endothelial cells in the skin, suggesting it can enter the skin through blood vessels after systemic infection. The document also mentions that hair loss has been observed in COVID-19 patients. The authors suggest that understanding these mechanisms could help in prevention efforts and look forward to future studies on this topic.