The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 was declared in the last weeks as global pandemic. Currently affecting more than 5 000 000 individuals worldwide, COVID‐19 is most commonly associated with symptoms caused by the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As the number of infected individuals increases, we are learning that not only lungs, but also other organs can be affected by the virus. The gastrointestinal symptoms, for example diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain, are frequent in patients with COVID‐19. Moreover, alimentary tract symptoms may precede the respiratory presentation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate management of infected patients. In addition, SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid can be detected in faeces of infected patients and rectal swabs are even reported to remain positive for a longer period of time than nasopharyngeal swabs. Here, we aim to provide an update on the gastrointestinal involvement of COVID‐19 presenting the symptoms that can be encountered in infected patients. We address the role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as a functional receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2, which also was found in the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, we briefly discuss faecal shedding of SARS‐CoV‐2 and its potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Background and Aims: The European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER) launched the prospective, multicentre, quality‐controlled R‐LIVER registry on rare liver diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the presentation and outcome of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after 1 year of treatment.Methods: Data were prospectively collected at the time of diagnosis and after 6 and 12 months follow‐up. Complete biochemical response (CBR) was defined as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum levels.Results: A total of 231 patients from six European centres were included in the analysis. After 6 months of treatment 50% (106/212), and after 12 months 63% (131/210) of patients reached CBR with only 27% (56/211) achieving a steroid‐free CBR within the first year.Overall, 16 different treatment regimens were administered. Change of treatment, mostly due to intolerance, occurred in 30.4% within the first 6 months. In multivariate analysis, younger age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.05]; p = .007), severe fibrosis (OR .38 [95% .16–.89], p = .026) and change of treatment within the first 6 months (OR .40 [95% CI .2–.86]; p = .018) were associated with a lesser chance of ALT normalization at 12 months follow‐up.Conclusion: The landscape of AIH treatment in Europe is highly heterogeneous, even between expert centres. The results from this first European multicentre prospective registry reveal several unmet needs, highlighted by the overall low rates of CBR and the frequent failure to withdraw corticosteroids.