Journal Article Review Ppublish
PubMed: 40471123 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.5c00250
Gut Microbiota and COVID-19: Unraveling the Gut-Lung Axis and Immunomodulatory Therapies.
ACS Infect Dis 11(7):1844-1853
Authors: Maria Cidinaria Silva Alves, Mireli Santana Rego, Ruana Carolina Cabral da Silva, Rousilândia de Araújo Silva, Igor Eduardo Silva Arruda, Sérgio de Sá Leitão Paiva-Júnior, Valdir de Queiroz Balbino
Affiliations
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-423, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul 79825-070, Brazil.
- Núcleo de Controle de Qualidade de Medicamentos e Correlatos, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-423, Brazil.
Abstract
The gut flora modulates immune responses and influences COVID-19 severity. SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the gut microbiota, causing dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammation and worsening clinical outcomes. Dysbiosis correlates with elevated inflammatory markers, such as CRP and PCT, contributing to severe complications. Studies show that COVID-19 patients have reduced beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium spp., alongside increased opportunistic pathogens. This review explores how gut microbiota impacts COVID-19 through predictive microbial signatures and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber-rich diets, may restore microbial balance, reduce inflammation, and support recovery. Additionally, we examine the effects of antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies on the gut microbiota and their role in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. Understanding the gut-lung axis in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis may reveal microbiota-targeted treatments to improve outcomes and prevent complications. As the host organ with the highest microbial diversity, the gut plays a crucial role in viral infections and warrants further research.
MeSH
Lung, Immunomodulation, Covid-19, Immunity, Therapeutics, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Communicable Diseases, Microbiota