Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Exploring the Impact of Gut Microbiota in COVID-19 Immune Resilience

Soumya Kanta Hati

Abstract


Gut microbiota—the community of microorganisms that live in the human gastrointestinal tract—has found to play a significant role in the immune system and overall health of individuals. Recent studies have indicated a possible link of gut microbiota with COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Studies have shown that individuals with COVID-19 often experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, indicating that the virus may also impact the gut microbiota. Additionally, changes in the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota are found in COVID-19 patients, especially those with severe cases. It has been claimed that a good and balanced gut microbiota can fight against COVID-19 by boosting immune function and decreasing inflammation. However, the precise processes through which gut microbiota might alter COVID-19 outcomes are still under investigation. Interventions targeting gut microbiota, such as probiotics or prebiotics, have also been suggested as potential therapeutic options for COVID-19. Nevertheless, further studies are required to completely understand the association of gut microbiota with COVID-19 and in addition to establish the effectiveness of such interventions. Understanding the involvement of gut microbiota with COVID-19 has crucial implications for disease prevention and therapy.


Keywords


COVID-19, gut microbiota, immune system, probiotics, gastrointestinal tract

Full Text:

PDF

References


Zuo T, Wu X, Wen W, Lan P. Gut microbiome alterations in COVID-19. Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics. 2021; 19(5): 679–688p.

BBC News. The. COVID-19 in India: Cases, deaths and oxygen supply. BBC News [Internet]; 2021. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56891016

Riaz Rajoka MS, Shi J, Mehwish HM, Zhu J, Li Q, Shao D, Huang Q, Yang H. Interaction between diet composition and gut microbiota and its impact on gastrointestinal tract health. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2017; 6(3): 121–130p.

Chen J, Vitetta L. Modulation of Gut Microbiota for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(13): 2903.

Rajoka MS, Shi J, Mehwish HM, Zhu J, Li Q, Shao D, Huang Q, Yang H. Interaction between diet composition and gut microbiota and its impact on gastrointestinal tract health. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2017; 6(3): 121–130p.

Nagata N, Takeuchi T, Masuoka H, Aoki R, Ishikane M, Iwamoto N, Sugiyama M, Suda W, Nakanishi Y, Terada-Hirashima J, Kimura M. Human gut microbiota and its metabolites impact immune responses in COVID-19 and its complications. Gastroenterology. 2023; 164(2): 272–288p.

Rinninella E, Raoul P, Cintoni M, Franceschi F, Donato Miggiano GA, Gasbarrini A, Mele MC. What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases. Microorganisms. 2019; 7(1): 14p.

Alwan NA. Surveillance is underestimating the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet. 2020; 396(10252): e24.

Zhang F, Lau RI, Liu Q, Su Q, Chan FK, Ng SC. Gut microbiota in COVID-19: Key microbial changes, potential mechanisms and clinical applications. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2023; 20(5): 323–337p.

Dhar D, Mohanty A. Gut microbiota and Covid-19- possible link and implications. Virus Research. 2020; 285: 198018.

11.Rashidi A, Ebadi M, Rehman TU, Elhusseini H, Nalluri H, Kaiser T, Holtan SG, Khorut A, Weisdorf DJ, Staley C. Effect of COVID-19 precautions on the gut microbiota and nosocomial infections. Gut Microbes, 2021; 13(1): 1936378.

Burchill E, Lymberopoulos E, Menozzi E, Budhdeo S, McIlroy JR, Macnaughtan J, Sharma N. The Unique Impact of COVID-19 on Human Gut Microbiome Research. Frontiers in Medicine. 2021; 8: 652464.

Villapol S. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with COVID- 19: Impact on the gut microbiome. Translational Research. 2020; 226: 57–69p.

Rocchi G, Giovanetti M, Benedetti F, Borsetti A, Ceccarelli G, Zella D, Altomare A, Ciccozzi M, Guarino MP. Gut Microbiota and COVID-19: Potential Implications for Disease Severity. Pathogens. 2022; 11(9): 1050p.

Gu S, Chen Y, Wu Z, Chen Y, Gao H, Lv L, Guo F, Zhang X, Luo R, Huang C, Lu H, Zheng B, Zhang J, Yan R, Zhang H, Xu Q, Guo J, Gong Y, Tang L, Li L. Alterations of the Gut Microbiota in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 or H1N1 Influenza. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2020; 71(10): 2669–2678p.

Rajput S, Paliwal D, Naithani M, Kothari A, Meena K, Rana S. COVID-19 and Gut Microbiota: A Potential Connection. Ind J Clin Biochem. 2021; 36: 266–277p.

Chhibber-Goel J, Gopinathan S, Sharma A. Interplay between severities of COVID-19 and the gut microbiome: implications of bacterial co-infections? Gut Pathogens. 2021; 13(1): 1–6p.

Wang B, Zhang L, Wang Y, Dai T, Qin Z, Zhou F, Zhang L. Alterations in microbiota of patients with COVID-19: Potential mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2022; 7(1): 1–15p.

Haran JP, Pinero JC, Zheng Y, Palma NA, Wingertzahn M. Virtualized clinical studies to assess the natural history and impact of gut microbiome modulation in non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 a randomized, open-label, prospective study with a parallel group study evaluating the physiologic effects of KB109 on gut microbiota structure and function: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled study. Trials. 2021; 22(1): 1–5p.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.