Scientists find evidence that novel coronavirus invades the mouth's cells
3 institutional releases
Published in Nature Medicine · View the paper (DOI)
A study by researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found evidence that SARS-CoV-2 infects cells in the mouth, potentially explaining widespread symptoms and enabling transmission through saliva. The study revealed RNA for viral entry proteins in certain oral tissues, suggesting these regions are susceptible to infection.
Coverage from 3 institutions
- Scientists find evidence that novel coronavirus invades the mouth's cells University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Mar 25, 2021 · first to report
- Salivary gland cells revealed as sites of COVID-19 infection Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute · Mar 25, 2021
- Scientists find evidence that novel coronavirus infects the mouth's cells NIH/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · Mar 25, 2021