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Gut bacteria after recovery from COVID-19: a pilot study
P G Polo1, B Çolak-Al, H Sentürk
1Department of Molecular Biology, Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey. m.rafiqi@bezmialem.edu.tr.
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|December 2, 2022
Summary
COVID-19 recovery alters gut bacteria, with fewer beneficial microbes and more opportunistic pathogens like Mycolicibacterium found immediately after infection. These changes persisted six months post-recovery in this study.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- COVID-19 is a significant global health concern, with a notable percentage of individuals experiencing persistent symptoms.
- The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host immunity and overall health.
- Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on gut microbiota during recovery is essential for comprehensive patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in the bacterial gut microbiota composition of patients immediately after recovering from COVID-19 and six months post-recovery.
- To compare the gut microbiota of recovered COVID-19 patients with that of healthy individuals.
- To identify specific bacterial groups or pathogens that are significantly affected by COVID-19 infection and recovery.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from 8 recovered COVID-19 patients (immediately and 6 months post-recovery) and 8 healthy controls.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to analyze microbial composition and identify correlations.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used with specific primers to quantify changes in key bacterial populations.
Main Results:
- Immediately recovered COVID-19 patients exhibited a significant reduction in 15 bacterial groups compared to healthy controls.
- A significantly higher relative abundance of the opportunistic pathogen Mycolicibacterium was observed in patients immediately after COVID-19 recovery.
- qPCR analysis revealed no significant differences in microbiota composition between immediately recovered patients and those six months post-recovery.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection leads to notable alterations in the human gut microbiota, including the emergence of opportunistic pathogens.
- The observed gut dysbiosis, characterized by reduced beneficial bacteria and increased opportunistic pathogens, may persist for at least six months post-recovery.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to fully elucidate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on gut microbiota balance and potential dysbiosis.
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