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Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
Published on: February 15, 2019
COVID-19 - gastrointestinal and gut microbiota-related aspects
K Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka1, E Vitale, W Makarewicz
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. leokadia@gumed.edu.pl.
COVID-19 can spread through fecal-oral transmission, altering gut microbiota and potentially leading to long-term dysbiosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation may harbor SARS-CoV-2, necessitating screening.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Gut microbiota alterations are increasingly recognized in COVID-19 patients.
- SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes beyond respiratory droplets are being investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of gut microbiota in COVID-19.
- To discuss fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
- To explore fecal microbiota transplantation as a potential transmission source.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases.
- Analysis of studies on COVID-19 and gut microbiota.
- Synthesis of findings on SARS-CoV-2 transmission and gut health.
Main Results:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms can influence COVID-19 severity.
- Fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a possibility.
- COVID-19 treatments and the virus itself can disrupt gut microbiota balance, decreasing beneficial bacteria and increasing pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Gut dysbiosis post-COVID-19 may cause long-term health issues.
- Screening stool samples for SARS-CoV-2 up to 35 days post-respiratory clearance is recommended.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) donors and recipients require SARS-CoV-2 screening to prevent transmission.
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