The Unique Impact of COVID-19 on Human Gut Microbiome Research

Burchill, Ella; Lymberopoulos, Eva; Menozzi, Elisa; Budhdeo, Sanjay; Mcilroy, James Roger; Macnaughtan, Jane; Sharma, Nikhil

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.652464

Cited by 34 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The significant decline in infectious diseases caused by common respiratory pathobionts such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae , among others, reported in our geographical area [ 6 ], may also be associated to the impact of the lockdown on the nasopharyngeal microbiota. Nonetheless, given the complex interaction network between the microbiota and the host immune system, and the uncertainty of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the human microbiota [ 34 ], we cannot be sure if these observed short-term alterations on the children’s nasopharyngeal microbiota development will have an impact on their health in the future and in which way.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota of Children and Adults Self-Confined at Home

Rocafort

Henares

Brotons

et al. 2022

Viruses

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The increased incidence of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Spain in March 2020 led to the declaration by the Spanish government of a state of emergency imposing strict confinement measures on the population. The objective of this study was to characterize the nasopharyngeal microbiota of children and adults and its relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity during the pandemic lockdown in Spain. This cross-sectional study included family households located in metropolitan Barcelona, Spain, with one adult with a previous confirmed COVID-19 episode and one or more exposed co-habiting child contacts. Nasopharyngeal swabs were used to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection status, characterize the nasopharyngeal microbiota and determine common respiratory DNA/RNA viral co-infections. A total of 173 adult cases and 470 exposed children were included. Overall, a predominance of Corynebacterium and Dolosigranulum and a limited abundance of common pathobionts including Haemophilus and Streptococcus were found both among adults and children. Children with current SARS-CoV-2 infection presented higher bacterial richness and increased Fusobacterium, Streptococcus and Prevotella abundance than non-infected children. Among adults, persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA was associated with an increased abundance of an unclassified member of the Actinomycetales order. COVID-19 severity was associated with increased Staphylococcus and reduced Dolosigranulum abundance. The stringent COVID-19 lockdown in Spain had a significant impact on the nasopharyngeal microbiota of children, reflected in the limited abundance of common respiratory pathobionts and the predominance of Corynebacterium, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 detection. COVID-19 severity in adults was associated with decreased nasopharynx levels of healthy commensal bacteria.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota of Children and Adults Self-Confined at Home

Rocafort

Henares

Brotons

et al. 2022

Viruses

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“…Along with lung microbiota, the composition and diversity of gut microbiota are also altered in COVID-19 patients, suggesting a bidirectional association between the respiratory and GI tract microbiota [ 18 , 33 ]. The commensal microbiota ecosystem in the gut is complex and dynamic, and plays an important role in regulating the host immune system and metabolism [ 34 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Growing evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has been detected not only in the respiratory system (nasopharyngeal and mid-nasal specimens) but also in the GI tract (stool and rectal swabs) of COVID-19 patients. Infection of gut epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 can disrupt the gut microbiome, inducing dysbiosis, intestinal inflammation, and gastrointestinal symptoms 18,19 . Moreover, recent studies have shown that COVID-19 is often associated with altered gut microbiota composition, reflecting disease severity [20][21][22][23] .…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interplays between human microbiota and microRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis: a literature review

Hong

Kim

2021

Phys Act Nutr

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[Purpose] Recent studies have shown that COVID-19 is often associated with altered gut microbiota composition and reflects disease severity. Furthermore, various reports suggest that the interaction between COVID-19 and host-microbiota homeostasis is mediated through the modulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). Thus, in this review, we aim to summarize the association between human microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis.[Methods] We searched for the existing literature using the keywords such “COVID-19 or microbiota,” “microbiota or microRNA,” and “COVID-19 or probiotics” in PubMed until March 31, 2021. Subsequently, we thoroughly reviewed the articles related to microbiota and miRNAs in COVID-19 to generate a comprehensive picture depicting the association between human microbiota and microRNAs in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.[Results] There exists strong experimental evidence suggesting that the composition and diversity of human microbiota are altered in COVID-19 patients, implicating a bidirectional association between the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 encoded miRNAs and host cellular microRNAs modulated by human microbiota can interfere with viral replication and regulate host gene expression involved in the initiation and progression of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the manipulation of human microbiota with probiotics may play a significant role against SARS-CoV-2 infection by enhancing the host immune system and lowering the inflammatory status.[Conclusion] The human microbiota-miRNA axis can be used as a therapeutic approach for COVID-19. Hence, further studies are needed to investigate the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of miRNA expression in human microbiota and how these miRNA profiles mediate viral infection through host-microbe interactions.

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“…Disrupted gut microbiota can result in elevated levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), due to epithelium breakdown and inflammation. ACE2 was reported to be a key target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by triggering the inflammatory cascades (“cytokine storm”) known to worsen the severity of the COVID-19 disease [ 3 ]. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and its receptor (ACE2) play central roles in modulating the renin–angiotensin system (RAS).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet, Probiotics and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiota during the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with diverse clinical manifestations, immune dysfunction, and gut microbiota alterations. The nutritional and biochemical quality of one’s diet can influence the intestinal microbiota, which may play a role in the defense mechanisms against potential pathogens, by promoting a wide variety of immune–host interactions. In the COVID-19 pandemic, besides the development of pharmacological therapies, a healthy balanced diet, rich with food-derived antioxidants, may be a useful strategy. Many studies demonstrated that vitamins and probiotic therapies have positive effects on the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation in COVID-19. The ecology of the gut microbiota in the digestive tract has been linked to the transport function of the host receptor known as angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), suggesting that COVID-19 may be related to the gut microbiota. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and its receptor (ACE2), play central roles in modulating the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). In addition, ACE2 has functions that act independently of the RAS. ACE2 is the receptor for the SARS coronavirus, and ACE2 is essential for the expression of neutral amino acid transporters in the gut. In this context, ACE2 modulates innate immunity and influences the composition of the gut microbiota. Malnutrition is one of the leading underlying causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and, including comorbidities, may be a major cause of worse outcomes and higher mortality among COVID-19 patients. This paper reviews the research on dietary components, with particular emphasis on vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotic therapies, and their impacts on the intestinal microbiota’s diversity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

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The Unique Impact of COVID-19 on Human Gut Microbiome Research

Cited by 34 publications

References 60 publications

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota of Children and Adults Self-Confined at Home

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on the Nasopharyngeal Microbiota of Children and Adults Self-Confined at Home

Interplays between human microbiota and microRNAs in COVID-19 pathogenesis: a literature review

Diet, Probiotics and Their Impact on the Gut Microbiota during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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