Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) associated with acute pancreatitis: case report

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 primarily attacks the respiratory system and the most common symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and fever. However, its tropism for the digestive system has been demonstrated and its clinical digestive manifestations are increasingly recognized. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to pancreatic lesions included in SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case describes the presentation of acute pancreatitis as a complication associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the importance of looking for this complication in any patient with COVID-19. Data was collected from a patient admitted with COVID-19 to intensive care in July 2020. The patient was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis associated with SARS-CoV-2. Other causes of acute pancreatitis were excluded for both patients (including alcohol, obstruction/gallstones, drugs, trauma, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia). This case highlights acute pancreatitis as a complication associated with COVID-19 and highlights the importance of measuring lipasemia and performing an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with COVID-19.