The DOI matches its Crossref record; 10 of the 10 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
SARS-CoV-2: Olfaction, Brain Infection, and the Urgent Need for Clinical Samples Allowing Earlier Virus Detection
Open accessAbstract
The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has very high infectivity, which allows it to spread rapidly around the world. Attempts at slowing the pandemic at this stage depend on the number and quality of diagnostic tests performed. We propose that the olfactory epithelium from the nasal cavity may be a more appropriate tissue for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus at the earliest stages, prior to onset of symptoms or even in asymptomatic people, as compared to commonly used sputum or nasopharyngeal swabs. Here we emphasize that the nasal cavity olfactory epithelium is the likely site of enhanced binding of SARS-CoV-2. Multiple non-neuronal cell types present in the olfactory epithelium express two host receptors, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteases, that facilitate SARS-CoV-2 binding, replication, and accumulation. This may be the underlying mechanism for the recently reported cases of smell dysfunction in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, the possibility of subsequent brain infection should be considered which begins in olfactory neurons. In addition, we discuss the possibility that olfactory receptor neurons may initiate rapid immune responses at early stages of the disease. We emphasize the need to undertake research focused on additional aspects of SARS-CoV-2 actions in the nervous system, especially in the olfactory pathway.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Moreover, reported impaired olfaction could be due to CNS invasion or direct damage of olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal cavity [24].”
From Hyperactivation of P2X7 receptors as a culprit of COVID-19 neuropathology (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“In fact, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and HCoV-OCR43 were able to invade the murine CNS using the transcribrial route, infecting olfactory sensory neurons of nasal cavity, and passing to other neural cells, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 could use the same mechanism [24, 35–37].”
From Hyperactivation of P2X7 receptors as a culprit of COVID-19 neuropathology (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“COVID-19 patients are suffering acute cerebrovascular disorder and other correlated neurological symptoms as consequences of stroke or micro-strokes [24].”
From Hyperactivation of P2X7 receptors as a culprit of COVID-19 neuropathology (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
In the citing paper
“Klok and colleagues observed disturbing increases in the incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill intensive care unit patients as high as 31% and recommended pharmacological prophylaxis against thrombosis [24].”
From Hyperactivation of P2X7 receptors as a culprit of COVID-19 neuropathology (2021) · cites this paper as [24]
Citations
Cites
Hoffmann, M., Kleine-Weber, H., Schroeder, S., Krüger, N., Herrler, T., Erichsen, S., Schiergens, T. S., Herrler, G., Wu, N.-H., Nitsche, A., et al. (2020) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2020.02.052 · Cited by 20,286
Ou, X., Liu, Y., Lei, X., Li, P., Mi, D., Ren, L., Guo, L., Guo, R., Chen, T., Hu, J., et al. (2020) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-020-15562-9 · Cited by 3,097
Baig, A. M., Khaleeq, A., Ali, U., & Syeda, H. (2020) · ACS Chemical Neuroscience · doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00122 · Cited by 2,207
Netland, J., Meyerholz, D. K., Moore, S., Cassell, M., & Perlman, S. (2008) · Journal of Virology · doi:10.1128/jvi.00737-08 · Cited by 1,293
Ruiz García, S., Deprez, M., Lebrigand, K., Cavard, A., Paquet, A., Arguel, M.-J., Magnone, V., Truchi, M., Caballero, I., Leroy, S., et al. (2019) · Development · doi:10.1242/dev.177428 · Cited by 297
Saraiva, L. R., Ibarra-Soria, X., Khan, M., Omura, M., Scialdone, A., Mombaerts, P., Marioni, J. C., & Logan, D. W. (2015) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep18178 · Cited by 173
Human herpesvirus-6 entry into the central nervous system through the olfactory pathway
Harberts, E. M., Yao, K., Wohler, J. E., Maric, D., Ohayon, J. M., Henkin, R. I., & Jacobson, S. (2011) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1105143108 · Cited by 164
The human olfactory transcriptome
Olender, T., Keydar, I., Pinto, J. M., Tatarskyy, P., Alkelai, A., Chien, M., Fishilevich, S., Restrepo, D., Matsunami, H., Gilad, Y., et al. (2016) · BMC Genomics · doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2960-3 · Cited by 130
Olfactory sensory neurons mediate ultrarapid antiviral immune responses in a TrkA-dependent manner
Sepahi, A., Kraus, A., Casadei, E., Johnston, C. A., Galindo‐Villegas, J., Kelly, C., García‐Moreno, D., Muñoz, P., Mulero, V., Huertas, M., et al. (2019) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1900083116 · Cited by 93
Deep Sequencing of the Murine Olfactory Receptor Neuron Transcriptome
Kanageswaran, N., Demond, M., Nagel, M., Schreiner, B. S. P., Baumgart, S., Scholz, P., Altmüller, J., Becker, C., Doerner, J. F., Conrad, H., et al. (2015) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113170 · Cited by 85
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–345 of 345
Repeat laboratory testing of SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to diagnose COVID-19
Zhuang, G.-L., Ou, X., Zhou, L., Pan, X., & Guo-hang, L. (2021) · Journal of Infection and Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2021.07.008
Clinical Manifestations of Cytokine Storm and Immune Response to COVID-19: Literature Review
Kowsarnia, S. (2021) · Open Journal of Internal Medicine · doi:10.4236/ojim.2021.113012
Covid-19: Signs and symptoms related to the feeding behavior
Machado, A. S., Castelo, P. M., Silva, F. C. E., & Lamy, E. (2021) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113605
Bharadwaj, S., Dwivedi, V. D., Kang, S. G., Kirtipal, N., & Sobti, R. C. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-16-5105-2_13
Elkazzaz, M., Ahmed, A. K. K., Haydara, T., Shamkh, I. M., & Abo-Amer, Y. E.-E. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1155356/v2
Elkazzaz, M., Ahmed, A. K. K., Haydara, T., Shamkh, I. M., & Abo-Amer, Y. E.-E. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1155356/v1
Advances in the study of nervous system infections in COVID‐19
He, C., He, L., Lin, C., & Wang, W. (2021) · Brain Science Advances · doi:10.26599/bsa.2021.9050014
Yakubova, M., & Файзиева, М. Д. Қ. (2021) · UZBEK MEDICAL JOURNAL · doi:10.26739/2181-0664-2021-4-9
Atemnot und COVID-19: Ein Aufruf zu mehr Forschung
Hentsch, L., Cocetta, S., Allali, G., Santana, I., Eason, R., Adam, E., & Janssens, J.-P. (2022) · Kompass Pneumologie · doi:10.1159/000521460 · Cited by 1
Fernandes, G. G. (2021) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/t.17.2021.tde-28012022-104828
COVID-19, LONG COVID AND ITS NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS
(2022) · International Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Allied Sciences · doi:10.31032/ijbpas/2022/11.3.5936
Neurological consequences of SARS-COV-2 infection: A review
(2021) · Chettinad Health City Medical Journal · doi:10.36503/chcmj10(4)-04
Elkazzaz, M., Ahmed, A. K. K., Shamkh, I. M., Abo-Amer, Y. E.-E., & Haydara, T. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1155356/v4
"The Critical Role of Speech Therapy for Neurocognitive Symptoms in Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19"
Bettinger, K. (2022) · Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research · doi:10.26717/bjstr.2022.43.006830
DEMİR, S., Sızer, B., & SIRMA, E. (2022) · Mucosa · doi:10.33204/mucosa.1174280
COVID-19-induced psychosis: two case reports and narrative literature review
Karakuła, K. H., Nowacka, O., Ryczkowski, A. J., Sitarz, R., Forma, A., & Juchnowicz, D. (2022) · Current Problems of Psychiatry · doi:10.2478/cpp-2022-0015
Anosmia e ageusia em pessoas após a COVID-19: análise entre tipo e tempo de hospitalização
Marchiori, G. D. M., Branco, B. H. M., Ciquinato, D. S. D. A., Gehren, A. D., Carvalho, G. H., Mesti, J. J., & Marchiori, L. L. D. M. (2022) · Revista CEFAC · doi:10.1590/1982-0216/20222429322s
Ventura, R. D., Bae, J.-S., Kim, E. H., Yoo, S. H., Ryu, G., & Mo, J. (2022) · Medical Lasers · doi:10.25289/ml.22.048
Neuro-Covid-19: Neural Changes in SARS-COV-2 Infection
da Motta, O. J. R., Gomes, A. P., & Albuquerque, G. L. C. (2020) · Archives of Neurology and Neuro Disorders · doi:10.22259/2638-504x.0302002
Mechanisms of central nervous system damage in COVID-19
Рассохин, В. В., Svetashova, E. I., Щербаков, А. А., Polushin, A. Y., Kucher, М. A., Kazantsev, I. V., Goloshchapov, O. V., Klementeva, R. V., Sinyaev, A. A., Ovechkina, V. N., et al. (2023) · HIV Infection and Immunosuppressive Disorders · doi:10.22328/2077-9828-2023-15-1-7-22
Pathological Effects of COVID-19 on Body Organs
Ahmadzadeh, S., Sedighi, M., Torkashvand, A., Hashemzadeh, P., Shafiei, F., Torkashvand, M., & Hasan‐Zadeh, A. (2023) · Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases · doi:10.52547/jommid.11.1.1
Adeeb, M., Kumar, R., Rani, K., Neha, N., Sagreeka, S., Kumar, K., kumar, J., Kumari, S., Kumar, D., & Pratab, F. (2023) · doi:10.53555/jptcp.v30i17.2642
CO-INFECTION WITH COVID-19 AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF SARS-COV-2 IN CHILDREN
Kamalova, D., Makibayeva, M., Амиргазин, А., Abdrakhmanova, S. Z., Sytnik, I., Tuleubaeva, A. A., Ramankulov, Y. M., & Shevtsov, A. (2023) · Eurasian journal of applied biotechnology · doi:10.11134/btp.3.2023.2
Daud, F. A., Pamungkas, R. A. S. P., Sanjaya, A., & Gunadi, J. W. (2023) · JURNAL ILMU KEDOKTERAN DAN KESEHATAN · doi:10.33024/jikk.v10i8.10244
ԿՈՎԻԴ-19 ԱՍՈՑԱՑՎԱԾ ԿՈԳՆԻՏԻՎ ԽԱՆԳԱՐՈՒՄՆԵՐԻ ԳՐԱԿԱՆ ԱԿՆԱՐԿ
Hovhannisyan, Y. (2023) · MEDICINE SCIENCE AND EDUCATION · doi:10.56936/18291775-2023.36-53
Impact of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 on HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders
Dutta, D., Liu, J., & Xiong, H. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-99744-7.00036-5
CURRENT ASPECTS OF THE CLINICAL COURSE OF COVID-19 IN CHILDREN. CLINICAL CASES
Камалова, Д., Makibaeva, M., Tuleubaeva, A., Ramakulov, E., Amirgazin, A., Shevtsov, A., Abdrahmanova, S., & Sytnik, I. (2024) · Interdisciplinary Approaches to Medicine · doi:10.26577/appmed2023v4i2a6
Aspectos clínicos y tratamiento de la infección por SARS-CoV-2
Berrocal, J., Carreño, T., Arosemena, A., & Mattar, S. (2023) · doi:10.21892/9786287515376.3
Subjective and objective effects of radioiodine therapy on the sense of smell
Tabari, A., Farrokh, F., Kashi, M. B., Tabari, A., Sadrehosseini, S. M., Saedi, B., Farzanehfar, S., & Abbasi, M. (2024) · European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology · doi:10.1007/s00405-024-08761-3
Potential Mechanisms of COVID-19 Related Nervous System Damage and Effects on Female Fertility
Qian, C., Hu, S.-N., Liu, H., & Liu, J. (2024) · Current Medicinal Chemistry · doi:10.2174/0109298673333968241011092801
Neuroinflammation: Unraveling acute and Long COVID symptoms
Villapol, S. (2025) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-19170-1.00017-6
Современный взгляд на этиопатогенетические факторы развития нарушения обоняния при COVID-19
Вохидов, У. Н., & Ражабов, Д. Б. (2023) · Eurasian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · doi:10.57231/j.ejohns.2023.2.3.014
Bala, J., & Sharma, S. (2024) · ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts · doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i7se.2024.5856
Pokotylo, O., Миронець, М. Ю., & Stepanyuk, Y. (2025) · Notes in Current Biology · doi:10.29038/ncbio.25.1-10
Consequences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction and its recovery in COVID-19 patients
Panchal, F., Patel, V., & Rathod, P. V. (2025) · The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1186/s43162-025-00548-0
Amer, S. A., Djelleb, I. F., Ishteiwy, E. M., Meshref, M. M., Amer, Y. A., Shah, J., Hefnawy, M. T., Hashim, N. A., Schönfeldt‐Lecuona, C., Elsayed, M., et al. (2025) · Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health · doi:10.2174/0117450179395261251006055231
Torices, S., Cabrera, R., Stangis, M., Naranjo, O., Fattakhov, N. S., Téglás, T., Adesse, D., & Toborek, M. J. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.15080318
Zhou, S., Wei, T., Liu, X., Liu, Y., Song, W., Que, X., Xing, Y., Wang, Z., & Tang, Y. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26605093
Imam, M. S., Hashim, N. F., Alqarni, S. M., Aljauid, S. M., Alghazal, K. M., Alruways, G. M., Alotaibi, B. S., Alhafi, R. A., dawood, H. F. M. A., & Elaidy, S. M. (2026) · Analytical Methods · doi:10.1039/d5ay01820j
Cox, D., Wang, B. Z., Pyburn, J. S., Rose, M. D., Rodriguez‐Gil, D. J., Hagg, T., & Jia, C. (2026) · Stem Cells · doi:10.1093/stmcls/sxag011
Al‐Bar, M. H. (2026) · Frontiers in Surgery · doi:10.3389/fsurg.2026.1838659
Flieger, W., Niedzielski, P., Flieger, M., Wojciechowska, Z., Proch, A., Proch, J., Forma, A., Torbicz, A., Majerek, D., Teresiński, G., et al. (2026) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-026-55776-3
Metadata
- Authors
- Butowt, R., & Bilinska, K.
- Affiliations
- L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Ul. CurieSklodowskiej 9, 85-94 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Venue
- ACS Chemical Neuroscience
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2020-04-13
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1200-1203
- ISSN
- 1948-7193 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3015599845
- Cited by
- 346
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 56 · 2021: 111 · 2020: 124
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- ACS Chemical Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Polish National Science Center (UMO-2013/09/B/NZ3/02359)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Keywords
- SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, olfactory epithelium, olfactory sensory neurons, virus detection, asymptomatic infection, ACE2, TMPRSS2, olfactory dysfunction, brain infection, olfactory pathway, nasal cavity, diagnostic sampling, immune response
- MeSH terms
- Betacoronavirus, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Animals, Brain, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A, Mass Screening, Olfactory Mucosa, Pneumonia, Viral, Serine Endopeptidases, Smell, Virus Replication, Olfactory Receptor Neurons, Coronavirus Infections, Respiratory Mucosa, Early Diagnosis, Mice, Pandemics
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
