This review article was designed to evaluate the existing evidence related to the molecular processes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the oral cavity. The World Health Organization stated that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and transmission is produced by respiratory droplets and aerosols from the oral cavity of infected patients. The oral cavity structures, keratinized and non-keratinized mucosa, and salivary glands’ epithelia express SARS-CoV-2 entry and transmission factors, especially angiotensin converting enzyme Type 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Replication of the virus in cells leads to local and systemic infection spread, and cellular damage is associated with clinical signs and symptoms of the disease in the oral cavity. Saliva, both the cellular and acellular fractions, holds the virus particles and contributes to COVID-19 transmission. The review also presents information about the factors modifying SARS-CoV-2 infection potential and possible local pharmacotherapeutic interventions, which may confine SARS-CoV-2 virus entry and transmission in the oral cavity. The PubMed and Scopus databases were used to search for suitable keywords such as: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, oral virus infection, saliva, crevicular fluid, salivary gland, tongue, oral mucosa, periodontium, gingiva, dental pulp, ACE2, TMPRSS2, Furin, diagnosis, topical treatment, vaccine and related words in relevant publications up to 28 December 2021. Data extraction and quality evaluation of the articles were performed by two reviewers, and 63 articles were included in the final review.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, oral cavity, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, Saliva, ACE2, TMPRSS2, Vaccine, coronavirus, furin, SARS-COV-2 infection, Infection, Diagnosis, SARS-CoV-2 virus, Local, Transmission, aerosol, Symptom, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, virus, database, angiotensin converting enzyme, Aerosols, Replication, Spread, Signs and symptoms, Factors, Clinical signs, virus infection, molecular, transmembrane serine protease 2, information, tongue, cellular, Evidence, angiotensin, structures, Gingiva, oral cavity, COVID-19 transmission, mucosa, Health Organization, systemic infection, crevicular fluid, salivary gland, dental pulp, World Health Organization, Respiratory droplets, acute respiratory syndrome, Factor, Serine, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, infected patients, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, enzyme, SARS-CoV-2 entry, transmembrane serine protease, data extraction, Final, virus particles, cellular damage, article, Express, Fractions, Clinical sign, oral mucosa, epithelia, salivary, respiratory droplet, Cell, periodontium, produced, performed, evaluate, the disease, virus particle, were used, contribute, Type, 【제목키워드】 oral, aspect,