Gut microbiome and anti-viral immunity in COVID-19

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 mainly affects the respiratory system, but the gastrointestinal tract is also a target. Prolonged gut disorders, in COVID-19 patients, were correlated with decreased richness and diversity of the gut microbiota, immune deregulation and delayed viral clearance. Although there are no definitive conclusions, ample evidence would suggest that the gut microbiome composition and function play a role in COVID-19 progression. Microbiome modulation strategies for population stratification and management of COVID-19 infection are under investigation, representing an area of interest in the ongoing pandemic. In this review, we present the existing data related to the interaction between gut microbes and the host’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and discuss the implications for current disease management and readiness to face future pandemics.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• gut microbiota
• microbiome
• immunity
• host-microbiota interaction

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Commission – NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094) through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global).