Impact of gut microbiota on severity of COVID-19
an illness COVID-19 not only attacks the tissue of the respiratory tract, the composition of the intestinal microbiota (intestinal flora) is also disturbed, which has an impact on the severity of the course of the disease. The consequences persist long after the virus infection has been overcome.
In a new study involving experts from State University of Campinas investigated the functional role of the gut microbiota in long-term consequences of COVID-19. The results were published on the English-language preprint server “Research Square” released.
Effects of COVID-19 on gut health
After being ill with COVID-19, long-term consequences that have a significant impact on the lives of those affected. Here the question arose as to whether there might be a connection with Changes in the gut microbiota exists, the researchers explain.
In their investigations, the experts have now found that the intestinal microbiota after contracting COVID-19 (up to four months after the first positive test) shows a remarkable dominance of so-called Enterobacteriaceae strains with a multi-resistant phenotype shows compared to healthy people from a control group.
Increased pneumonia caused by gut microbiota
After the team transferred feces from participants to germ-free mice, animals given samples from COVID-19 sufferers showed one more severe pneumonia and one more increased susceptibility to lung infectionscaused by a resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Cognitive performance decreased
These mice also showed one worse cognitive performance, which was linked to increased expression of TNF-α, decreased levels of something called neurotrophic factor BDNF and the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 in the brain, the experts said. In addition, also occurred Changes in various biochemical signaling pathways on.
These changes were observed in the absence of SARS-CoV-2, so according to the researchers, they Changes in the gut microbiota are due. The study also made it clear that the effects of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on the intestinal microbiota persist even after those affected have long since overcome the acute viral infection.
Healthy bacteria prevent brain dysfunction
Functional disorders of the brain, which were found in a coronavirus infection model in mice, could, however, be partially corrected by a Modulation of the microbiota by treatment with the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum 51A prevented, reports the team.
Overall, the results of the new research underscore the Importance of the microbiota as a target for therapies Treatment of so-called post-COVID sequelae, sum up the experts. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Viviani Mendes de Almeida, Daiane F. Engel, Mayra Fernanda Ricci, Clênio Silva Cruz, Icaro Santos Lopes, et al.: Gut microbiota from patients with mild COVID-19 cause alterations in mice that resemble post-COVID syndrome; in: Research Square (published 06/22/2022), Research Square
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.