Does Phenotypic Expression of Bitter Taste Receptor T2R38 Show Association with COVID-19 Severity?
Does phenotypic expression of bitter taste receptor T2R38 show association with COVID-19 severity? Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 has been identified as the pathogen causing the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) commencing in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Multiple reports have shown subjective loss of taste and smell as an early and hallmark symptom for COVID-19. Method: A retrospective study was performed in our clinical practice during July 2020 on patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR. All patients were categorized into 3 groups (supertasters, tasters, & nontasters) via taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide, thiourea, and sodium benzoate with taste strip testing. The results of the taste strip tests were correlated with clinical course. Results: 100 patients (mean 51 [Range 24-82] years [...]