Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering English and Mandarin information on the virus. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and Elsevier grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University provides evidence of SARS-CoV-2 gastrointestinal infection and possible fecal-oral transmission. The study analyzed 71 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in stool samples of 39 patients (53.42%). Viral nucleocapsid protein was detected in gastrointestinal tissues of one patient. The study used endoscopy to examine gastrointestinal tissues and found ACE2 receptor expression in gastric, duodenal, and rectal epithelial cells, supporting SARS-CoV-2 entry into these cells. ACE2 was less expressed in esophageal epithelium. Viral nucleocapsid protein was detected in gastric, duodenal, and rectal epithelial cells but not in esophageal epithelium. The study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect gastrointestinal glandular epithelial cells and that fecal-oral transmission may occur. The results highlight the importance of testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces using rRT-PCR, as positive results may persist even after respiratory tract clearance. The study recommends routine fecal testing for SARS-CoV-2 in patients and continued transmission-based precautions if fecal tests are positive. The study was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and involved 73 hospitalized patients. The research provides important insights into the pathogenesis and transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering English and Mandarin information on the virus. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and Elsevier grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. A study by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University provides evidence of SARS-CoV-2 gastrointestinal infection and possible fecal-oral transmission. The study analyzed 71 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in stool samples of 39 patients (53.42%). Viral nucleocapsid protein was detected in gastrointestinal tissues of one patient. The study used endoscopy to examine gastrointestinal tissues and found ACE2 receptor expression in gastric, duodenal, and rectal epithelial cells, supporting SARS-CoV-2 entry into these cells. ACE2 was less expressed in esophageal epithelium. Viral nucleocapsid protein was detected in gastric, duodenal, and rectal epithelial cells but not in esophageal epithelium. The study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect gastrointestinal glandular epithelial cells and that fecal-oral transmission may occur. The results highlight the importance of testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in feces using rRT-PCR, as positive results may persist even after respiratory tract clearance. The study recommends routine fecal testing for SARS-CoV-2 in patients and continued transmission-based precautions if fecal tests are positive. The study was conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and involved 73 hospitalized patients. The research provides important insights into the pathogenesis and transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2.