gastrointestinal presentation in a patient with covid-19 without respiratory tract symptoms: a case report from qom, iran

Introduction: considering the increasing number of patients referred to gastroenterology clinics, we report a suspected case ofcoronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) with only gastrointestinal (gi) presentation in qom, iran.case presentation: a 74-year-old man with epigastric pain, diarrhea and vomiting for one week was treated, based on the routineabdominal treatment protocol. since all gi symptoms were resistant to therapy, we decided to perform laboratory assays for a moreaccurate diagnosis of the disease. considering the persistence of abdominal pain and nausea, abdominal and pelvic computedtomography (ct) scans, as well as endoscopy and colonoscopy, were performed. after performing the chest ct scan, we noticed theinvolvement of the lungs. the patient did not have any respiratory symptoms, and at the time of his hospitalization, the covid-19epidemic had been reported in iran. with the progression of the disease, he started to experience mild fever (38°c). using a specificcovid-19 kit, he was diagnosed with covid-19 after precise evaluations. however, without any medications, all of his symptomssubsided after 2 - 3 weeks.conclusions: it is important for all physicians to know that some pure gi symptoms, which are resistant to therapy, may be the onlysymptoms in suspected covid-19 patients. timely diagnosis and isolation of these patients can guarantee population to avoid thespread of this highly contagious infection.