Increased Hepatic Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Points and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Cirrhosis

It has been recently reported that patients with cirrhosis have significantly higher mortality following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavrisu 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection compared with those without.(1,2) Specifically, it was demonstrated that mortality was greater in those with advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B and C), and that from cirrhotic patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 infection, close to half suffer acute decompensation including acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).(2) Unfortunately, the presence of hepatic decompensation at baseline has been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).(1) Patients with decompensated cirrhosis contracting COVID-19 have a poor outcome, with an overall reported mortality of over 30%.(1)