Rapid Development of Achalasia After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Esophageal Muscle Tissue

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Achalasia has been linked to viruses. We have observed cases of rapid-developing achalasia post–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We aimed to prospectively evaluate esophageal muscle for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) from patients with rapid-onset achalasia post–COVID-19 and compare them with achalasia predating COVID-19 and achalasia with no COVID-19. RESULTS: Compared with long-standing achalasia predating COVID-19 and long-standing achalasia with no COVID-19, the subjects with achalasia post–COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of messenger RNA for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein, which correlated with a significant increase in the inflammatory markers NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain–containing 3 and tumor necrosis factor. DISCUSSION: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is a possible trigger for achalasia.