Probiotics potentials in mitigating coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

Abstract

Despite the adoption and use of different infection prevention and control measures, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic keeps surging on with globally increasing morbidities and mortalities. The lack of a specific therapeutic intervention against COVID-19 warrants the use of non-conventional potent alternatives. In recent times, probiotics have shown to mitigate numerous health challenges, including animal and human infectious diseases through competitive exclusion or antagonism of pathogens, modulation of host-microbiota, secretion of antimicrobial compounds and stimulation of immune responses. The presentation of COVID-19 as severe respiratory distress leading to gastrointestinal tract involvement could be mitigated through probiotics administration which beneficially modulates the microbiota and immune responses with an attendant reduction in morbidities, hence curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evidences and perspectives of the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics as adjuvants for prevention and treatment of COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis and systematic review

“…These probiotics related compounds could modulate the immune system leading to the downregulation of inflammatory pathways and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines Probiotics and bacteriocins are suggested to balance pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and increase the T-cell count in the SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. The probiotic ability to degrade hyaluronan has been suggested to improve the acute respiratory distress syndrome Peng, Zhang, Yao, Kwok, and Zhang (2021) China Review Probiotic The administration of probiotics contributes for modulation of the gut-lung axis as an adjunctive treatment for COVID-19 Reuben, Makut, and Adogo (2021) Germany and Nigeria Commentary Probiotic Probiotic strains have been effectively used over the last years to reduce the incidence and severity of different intestinal and respiratory tract viral infections. There is substantial evidence for the positive effect of the use of probiotics against COVID-19 to reduce the disease severity and its related comorbidities thereby mitigating the pandemic Şahin (2020) Turkey Letter to the Editor Probiotic Probiotics may contribute to strength the immune system and be an important prophylaxis to be implemented against COVID-19 Probiotics might also have an effective management of gastrointestinal symptoms, which is an important factor in reducing the transmission and mortality from COVID-19 pandemic Santacroce (2020) Italy Letter to the Editor Probiotic Postbiotic Probiotics synthesize antimicrobial compounds and bioactive molecules such as short-chain fatty acids that can modulate the immune system, as well as restore intestinal homeostasis The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in a dysbiosis process can infect intestinal cells and spread more easily through the body in a dysbiosis process.…”

Probióticos – uma espada ou um escudo no desfecho da COVID-19?

“…Justamente, devido às propriedades conhecidas na modulação da resposta inflamatória, da carga viral, no fortalecimento do sistema imunológico e no fortalecimento da barreira intestinal e consequente papel nas infecções secundárias. Além disso, os probióticos apresentam-se normalmente seguros, o que permite financiamento e execução de estudos em larga escala (Reuben et al, 2021).…”