The impact of the gut microbiota on the severity of COVID-19

An ailment COVID-19 Not only does it attack the tissues of the respiratory tract, the composition of the intestinal microbiota (intestinal flora) is also disturbed, which has an effect on the severity of the disease course. The results persist for a long time even after the virus infection is overcome.

In a new study involving experts State University of Campinas investigated the functional role of the gut microbiota in the long-term consequences of COVID-19. The results were published on an English-language preprint server.”Research Square” free.

Impact of COVID-19 on gut health

After becoming ill with COVID-19, long term results Which has a profound impact on the lives of the affected people. Here the question arose whether there could be any connection with this? changes in gut microbiota exists, the researchers point out.

In their investigation, experts have now found that the intestinal microbiota after contracting COVID-19 (up to four months after the first positive test) shows a remarkable dominance of the so-called Enterobacteriaceae strains with a multiple-resistant phenotype compared to healthy people in a control group.

Increased pneumonia due to gut microbiota

After the team transferred the participants’ feces to germ-free mice, the animals were given samples of COVID-19 victims that showed a more severe pneumonia one more increased susceptibility to lung infectionsIt is caused by a resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

decreased cognitive performance

These mice also showed a worse cognitive performance, which was linked to increased expression of TNF-α, decreased levels of something called the neurotrophic factor BDNF and the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 in the brain, the experts said. In addition, also happened Changes in various biochemical signaling pathways Feather.

These changes were observed in the absence of SARS-CoV-2, so according to the researchers, they changes in gut microbiota are due. The study also clarified that the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the intestinal microbiota persists even after the affected people have long recovered from the acute viral infection.

Healthy bacteria prevent brain dysfunction

Functional disorders of the brain, which were found in a coronavirus infection model in mice, can be partially corrected by one. modulation of microbiota by treatment with Probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium longum 51a Stopped, informed the team.

Overall, the new research results underscore importance of microbiota as a target for treatment Treatment of so-called post-covid sequelae, Yoga Experts. (as)