Xerostomia and Taste Alterations in COVID-19

Abstract

A recent letter published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal called attention to the hypothesis that the xerostomia reported in patients with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurs due to the neuroinvasive and neurotropism potential of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In fact, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), the main site of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cell, was found to be present in the ductal elements of salivary gland and several other tissues. However, some points are worth to be addressed.

Keywords: COVID-19; hyposalivation; salivary glands; taste disturbances.