Multicompartmental Mathematical Model of SARS-CoV-2 Distribution in Human Organs and Their Treatment

Patients with COVID-19 can develop pneumonia, severe symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ failure. Nevertheless, the variety of forms of this disease requires further research on the pathogenesis of this disease. Based on the analysis of published data and original experiments on the concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in biological fluids of the nasopharynx, lungs, and intestines and using a developed modular model of the virus distribution in human tissue and organs, an assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in various compartments of the body is presented. Most of the viral particles can transport to the esophagus from the nasopharynx. The viral particles entering the gastrointestinal tract will obviously be accompanied by the infection of the intestinal epithelium and accumulation of the virus in the intestinal lumen in an amount proportional to their secretory and protein-synthetic activities. The relatively low concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in tissues implies an essential role of transport processes and redistribution of the virus from the nasopharynx and intestines to the lungs. The model simulations also suppose that sanitation of the nasopharynx mucosa at the initial stage of the infectious process has prospects for the use in medical practice.

Automated summary

Patients with COVID-19 may experience multiple organ failure and further research is needed to understand the causes of the disease. This study analyzes published data and conducts original experiments to assess the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2 in different parts of the body. Most viral particles migrate from the nasopharynx to the esophagus, and those entering the gastrointestinal tract lead to infection of the intestinal epithelium and accumulation of the virus in the intestinal lumen. The relatively low concentration of the virus in tissues suggests the importance of viral transportation and redistribution from the nasopharynx and intestines to the lungs. Model simulations also indicate potential use of nasal mucosa sanitation in the early stages of infection.