We’ve all heard that the coronavirus leads to a loss of sense of taste in the patients. In fact, at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, symptoms such as cough, fever, breathlessness, were considered the primary symptoms of the infection. But in late March 2020, scientists found that many patients also showed symptoms such as loss of sense of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia). Furthermore, by April 2020, a study had claimed that nearly 60% of the COVID-19 patients experience anosmia and ageusia.
Around the end of April, the CDC added anosmia and ageusia to the list of common COVID-19 symptoms. According to various studies, Sars-CoV-2 may be targeting the taste bud cells and other cells in the oral cavity. However, a recent study published in the ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science claims that the coronavirus does not cause ageusia directly.
The Relation Between the ACE2 Receptors and Taste Buds:
Researchers at the University of Georgia, Atlanta’s (UGA) College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences did a study on adult mice to determine whether ACE2 receptors are present on taste buds. The results showed that the rough texture of the tongue is due to the presence of a large number of ACE2 receptors but they’re not present on the taste buds. Therefore, this means that the taste buds cannot be directly attacked by the Sars-CoV-2. So, the question remains why are patients experiencing ageusia (loss of sense of taste)?
What Leads to Damaged Taste Buds & Ageusia?
According to researchers, other cell death mechanisms are responsible for ageusia in COVID-19 patients. Researchers further claim that inflammation caused by the COVID-19 infection may be the reason behind ageusia in patients. Various studies have shown that COVID-19 infection may lead to dense inflammation in patients due to the aggressive release of cytokines in the body.
That being said, only further research can determine if inflammation is the sole reason behind ageusia in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, the researchers said that a proper understanding of both anosmia and ageusia is needed to provide better patient and therapeutic care at the primary level.