One potential biological mechanism underlying this association is the high expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on the brush border of the small intestinal mucosa.49 Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to influence the gut microbiome,50 and the infection potentially persists beyond the postacute phase.51 Additionally, evidence from studies on prolonged viral fecal shedding52 and the persistence of the virus in the GI tract53 lends further support to the connection we have observed. This evidence concerns the gene ACE2 and infection.