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Host-microbiome associations in saliva predict COVID-19 severity
Hend Alqedari1,2, Khaled Altabtbaei3, Josh L Espinoza4
1Department of Public Health and Community Service, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 1 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
PNAS Nexus
|April 15, 2024
Summary
The oral microbiome and salivary cytokines may predict coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Lower microbial diversity in saliva correlated with worse COVID-19 outcomes, suggesting a role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Oral microbiota influences host immune responses to viral infections.
- The interplay between oral microbiome, cytokines, and COVID-19 pathogenesis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between salivary microbiome composition and host immune parameters in different COVID-19 severity groups.
- To explore the predictive value of oral microbiome and salivary cytokines for COVID-19 status and respiratory severity.
Main Methods:
- Collected saliva and blood samples from 80 individuals (COVID-19 patients and non-infected controls).
- Characterized oral microbiomes using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Quantified saliva and serum cytokines/chemokines via multiplex analysis.
Main Results:
- Salivary microbial alpha diversity was negatively associated with COVID-19 severity.
- Oral host immune response (salivary cytokines) differed from systemic response (serum cytokines).
- Microbiome perturbation analysis was most effective in predicting COVID-19 status and severity.
Conclusions:
- Oral microbiome and salivary cytokines show potential as biomarkers for COVID-19 status and severity.
- Findings suggest local mucosal immune suppression and systemic hyperinflammation in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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