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The causal relationship between gut microbiota and COVID-19: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
1Proctology Department, School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Medicine
|February 2, 2024
Summary
The gut microbiome influences coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Specific gut bacteria like Intestinimas and Bifidobacterium are linked to increased COVID-19 risk, while Ruminococcaceae may offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Genetic epidemiology
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between gut microbiota and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The precise causal relationship between gut microbial composition and COVID-19 outcomes remains largely undetermined.
- Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Approach:
- A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study was conducted using large-scale genetic summary statistics for gut microbiota and COVID-19.
- Inverse variance weighting was the primary method for assessing causal inference.
- Reverse Mendelian randomization was employed to investigate potential reverse causality.
Key Points:
- Certain gut bacteria, including Intestinimas.id.2062, Bifidobacterium.id.436, LachnospiraceaeUCG010.id.11330, and RikenellaceaeRC9gutgroup.id.11191, were associated with increased risk of severe or hospitalized COVID-19.
- RuminococcaceaeUCG014.id.11371 demonstrated a protective association with hospitalized COVID-19.
- No causal link was found between gut microbiota and COVID-19 infection, nor a significant causal effect of COVID-19 on gut microbiota.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota composition has a causal impact on COVID-19 severity and hospitalization risk.
- These findings support the gut-lung axis theory and highlight the potential of gut microbiota modulation as a non-drug intervention for COVID-19.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of probiotics.
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