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. 2021 Dec;60(8):4151-4174.
doi: 10.1007/s00394-021-02519-x. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Modulation of gut microbiota protects against viral respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of animal and clinical studies

Hai Yun Shi #  1 , Xi Zhu #  2 , Wei Lin Li #  3 , Joyce W Y Mak  4 , Sunny H Wong  4 , Sheng Tao Zhu  1 , Shui Long Guo  1 , Francis K L Chan  4   5   6 , Shu Tian Zhang  1 , Siew C Ng  7   8   9
Affiliations

Modulation of gut microbiota protects against viral respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of animal and clinical studies

Hai Yun Shi et al. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Earlier studies suggest that probiotics have protective effects in the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Whether such benefits apply to RTIs of viral origin and mechanisms supporting the effect remain unclear.

Aim: To determine the role of gut microbiota modulation on clinical and laboratory outcomes of viral RTIs.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of articles published in Embase and MEDLINE through 20 April 2020 to identify studies reporting the effect of gut microbiota modulation on viral RTIs in clinical studies and animal models. The incidence of viral RTIs, clinical manifestations, viral load and immunological outcomes was evaluated.

Results: We included 58 studies (9 randomized controlled trials; 49 animal studies). Six of eight clinical trials consisting of 726 patients showed that probiotics administration was associated with a reduced risk of viral RTIs. Most commonly used probiotics were Lactobacillus followed by Bifidobacterium and Lactococcus. In animal models, treatment with probiotics before viral challenge had beneficial effects against influenza virus infection by improving infection-induced survival (20/22 studies), mitigating symptoms (21/21 studies) and decreasing viral load (23/25 studies). Probiotics and commensal gut microbiota exerted their beneficial effects through strengthening host immunity.

Conclusion: Modulation of gut microbiota represents a promising approach against viral RTIs via host innate and adaptive immunity regulation. Further research should focus on next generation probiotics specific to viral types in prevention and treatment of emerging viral RTIs.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; Probiotics; Viral respiratory tract infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Literature search and selection of included studies in this systematic review. * Fifty-nine articles from 58 studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Categorization of included studies. * Fifty-nine articles from 58 studies
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