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Review
. 2024 Jan-Dec;16(1):2402544.
doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2402544. Epub 2024 Sep 17.

Gut microbe-host interactions in post-COVID syndrome: a debilitating or restorative partnership?

Torsten P M Scheithauer  1 , Roy C Montijn  1 , Arnout Mieremet  1
Affiliations
Review

Gut microbe-host interactions in post-COVID syndrome: a debilitating or restorative partnership?

Torsten P M Scheithauer et al. Gut Microbes. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) patients have reported a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. Particularly, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms has led to the hypothesis that the gut microbiome is involved in the development and severity of PCS. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the role of the gut microbiome in PCS by describing the microbial composition and microbial metabolites in COVID-19 and PCS. Moreover, host-microbe interactions via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) and the microbiota-gut-lung (MGL) axes are described. Furthermore, we explore the potential of therapeutically targeting the gut microbiome to support the recovery of PCS by reviewing preclinical model systems and clinical studies. Overall, current studies provide evidence that the gut microbiota is affected in PCS; however, diversity in symptoms and highly individual microbiota compositions suggest the need for personalized medicine. Gut-targeted therapies, including treatments with pre- and probiotics, have the potential to improve the quality of life of affected individuals.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gut microbiome; long COVID; post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The gut microbiota and symptoms of the post-covid syndrome.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Intestinal in vitro models applicable to screen for interventions in PCS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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