scholarly journals Is Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis a Predictor of Increased Susceptibility to Poor Outcome of COVID-19 Patients? An Update

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Carolina Ferreira ◽  
Sofia D. Viana ◽  
Flávio Reis
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Microflora ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
System Response ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Immune System Response ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

The scientific knowledge already attained regarding the way severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects human cells and the clinical manifestations and consequences for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, especially the most severe cases, brought gut microbiota into the discussion. It has been suggested that intestinal microflora composition plays a role in this disease because of the following: (i) its relevance to an efficient immune system response; (ii) the fact that 5–10% of the patients present gastrointestinal symptoms; and (iii) because it is modulated by intestinal angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (which is the virus receptor). In addition, it is known that the most severely affected patients (those who stay longer in hospital, who require intensive care, and who eventually die) are older people with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and pulmonary diseases, the same people in which the prevalence of gut microflora dysbiosis is higher. The COVID-19 patients presenting poor outcomes are also those in which the immune system’s hyperresponsiveness and a severe inflammatory condition (collectively referred as “cytokine storm”) are particularly evident, and have been associated with impaired microbiota phenotype. In this article, we present the evidence existing thus far that may suggest an association between intestinal microbiota composition and the susceptibility of some patients to progress to severe stages of the disease.

scholarly journals Pediatric COVID-19 and the Factors That May Mitigate Its Clinical Course

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. e137-e140
Author(s):  
Mosaad Abdel-Aziz ◽  
Nada M. Abdel-Aziz ◽  
Dina M. Abdel-Aziz ◽  
Noha Azab
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Compulsory Vaccination ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Radiographic Data

AbstractThe clinical manifestations of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vary from mild flu-like symptoms to severe fatal pneumonia. However, children with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic or may have mild clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features of pediatric COVID-19 and to search for the factors that may mitigate the disease course. We reviewed the literature to realize the clinical features, laboratory, and radiographic data that may be diagnostic for COVID-19 among children. Also, we studied the factors that may affect the clinical course of the disease. Fever, dry cough, and fatigue are the main symptoms of pediatric COVID-19, sometimes flu-like symptoms and/or gastrointestinal symptoms may be present. Although some infected children may be asymptomatic, a recent unusual hyperinflammatory reaction with overlapping features of Kawasaki's disease and toxic shock syndrome in pediatric COVID-19 has been occasionally reported. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronvirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acid testing is the corner-stone method for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Lymphocyte count and other inflammatory markers are not essentially diagnostic; however, chest computed tomography is highly specific. Factors that may mitigate the severity of pediatric COVID-19 are home confinement with limited children activity, trained immunity caused by compulsory vaccination, the response of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors in children is not the same as in adults, and that children are less likely to have comorbidities. As infected children may be asymptomatic or may have only mild respiratory and/or gastrointestinal symptoms that might be missed, all children for families who have a member diagnosed with COVID-19 should be investigated.

scholarly journals Glucocorticoid excess and COVID-19 disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guarnotta ◽  
Rosario Ferrigno ◽  
Marianna Martino ◽  
Mattia Barbot ◽  
Andrea M. Isidori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
System Response ◽  
Guidance Document ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Immune System Response ◽  
Contagion Risk ◽  
And Control ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

Abstract The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is causing high and rapid morbidity and mortality. Immune system response plays a crucial role in controlling and resolving the viral infection. Exogenous or endogenous glucocorticoid excess is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, due to impairment of the innate and adaptive immune system. In addition, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and thromboembolism are conditions overrepresented in patients with hypercortisolism. Thus patients with chronic glucocorticoid (GC) excess may be at high risk of developing COVID-19 infection with a severe clinical course. Care and control of all comorbidities should be one of the primary goals in patients with hypercortisolism requiring immediate and aggressive treatment. The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), has recently commissioned an urgent clinical guidance document on management of Cushing’s syndrome in a COVID-19 period. In this review, we aim to discuss and expand some clinical points related to GC excess that may have an impact on COVID-19 infection, in terms of both contagion risk and clinical outcome. This document is addressed to all specialists who approach patients with endogenous or exogenous GC excess and COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals Gut Microbiota and Mucosal Immunity in the Neonate

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majda Dzidic ◽  
Alba Boix-Amorós ◽  
Marta Selma-Royo ◽  
Alex Mira ◽  
Maria Collado
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
System Response ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Gut Immunity ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Immune System Response ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions

Gut microbiota colonization is a complex, dynamic, and step-wise process that is in constant development during the first years of life. This microbial settlement occurs in parallel with the maturation of the immune system, and alterations during this period, due to environmental and host factors, are considered to be potential determinants of health-outcomes later in life. Given that host–microbe interactions are mediated by the immune system response, it is important to understand the close relationship between immunity and the microbiota during birth, lactation, and early infancy. This work summarizes the evidence to date on early gut microbiota colonization, and how it influences the maturation of the infant immune system and health during the first 1000 days of life. This review will also address the influence of perinatal antibiotic intake and the importance of delivery mode and breastfeeding for an appropriate development of gut immunity.

scholarly journals Intestinal function and transit associate with gut microbiota dysbiosis in cystic fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Marsh ◽  
Helen Gavillet ◽  
Liam Hanson ◽  
Christabella Ng ◽  
Mandisa Mitchell-Whyte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
List Type ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Community Function ◽  
Gut Function ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

AbstractBackgroundMost people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms and are at risk of gut complications. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is apparent within the CF population across all age groups, with evidence linking dysbiosis to intestinal inflammation and other markers of health. This pilot study aimed to investigate the potential relationships between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal physiology, transit, and health.Study DesignFaecal samples from 10 pwCF and matched controls were subject to 16S rRNA sequencing. Results were combined with clinical metadata and MRI metrics of gut function to investigate relationships.ResultspwCF had significantly reduced microbiota diversity compared to controls. Microbiota compositions were significantly different, suggesting remodelling of core and rarer satellite taxa in CF. Dissimilarity between groups was driven by a variety of taxa, including Escherichia coli, Bacteroides spp., Clostridium spp., and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The core taxa were explained primarily by CF disease, whilst the satellite taxa were associated with pulmonary antibiotic usage, CF disease, and gut function metrics. Species-specific ordination biplots revealed relationships between taxa and the clinical or MRI-based variables observed.ConclusionsAlterations in gut function and transit resultant of CF disease are associated with the gut microbiota composition, notably the satellite taxa. Delayed transit in the small intestine might allow for the expansion of satellite taxa resulting in potential downstream consequences for core community function in the colon.HighlightsFaecal microbiota significantly differs between pwCF and healthy controlsKey SCFA producers contributed to microbiota dissimilarity between groupsPulmonary antibiotic treatment heavily impacted gut microbiotaIntestinal physiology and transit impacted satellite microbiota composition

scholarly journals Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis–Immune Hyperresponse–Inflammation Triad in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Impact of Pharmacological and Nutraceutical Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Ferreira ◽  
Sofia D. Viana ◽  
Flávio Reis
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Intestinal Microflora ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Viral Origin ◽  
Individual Resilience ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Patients present a complex clinical picture that, in severe cases, evolves to respiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and neurological complications, and eventually death. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are complex and multifactorial and have been summarized as a hyperresponse of the immune system that originates an inflammatory/cytokine storm. In elderly patients, particularly in those with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and pulmonary disorders, the disease is particularly severe, causing prolonged hospitalization at intensive care units (ICU) and an increased mortality rate. Curiously, the same populations have been described as more prone to a gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis profile. Intestinal microflora plays a major role in many metabolic and immune functions of the host, including to educate and strengthen the immune system to fight infections, namely of viral origin. Notably, recent studies suggest the existence of GM dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients. This review article highlights the interplay between the triad GM dysbiosis–immune hyperresponse–inflammation in the individual resilience/fragility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and presents the putative impact of pharmacological and nutraceutical approaches on the triumvirate, with focus on GM.

scholarly journals The Association Between the Gut Microbiota and Parkinson's Disease, a Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Shen ◽  
Yumei Yue ◽  
Tingting He ◽  
Cong Huang ◽  
Boyi Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were often observed with gastrointestinal symptoms, which preceded the onset of motor symptoms. Neuropathology of PD has also been found in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Many studies have reported significant PD-related alterations of gut microbiota. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the differences of gut microbiota between patients with PD and healthy controls (HCs) across different geographical regions. We conducted a systematic online search for case-control studies detecting gut microbiota in patients with PD and HCs. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to access alterations in the abundance of certain microbiota families in PD. Fifteen case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis study. Our results showed significant lower abundance levels of Prevotellaceae (MD = −0.37, 95% CI = −0.62 to −0.11), Faecalibacterium (MD = −0.41, 95% CI: −0.57 to −0.24), and Lachnospiraceae (MD = −0.34, 95% CI = −0.59 to −0.09) in patients with PD compared to HCs. Significant higher abundance level of Bifidobacteriaceae (MD = 0.38, 95%; CI = 0.12 to 0.63), Ruminococcaceae (MD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.07 to 1.10), Verrucomicrobiaceae (MD = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.69), and Christensenellaceae (MD = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.34) was also found in patients with PD. Thus, shared alterations of certain gut microbiota were detected in patients with PD across different geographical regions. These PD-related gut microbiota dysbiosis might lead to the impairment of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing process, lipid metabolism, immunoregulatory function, and intestinal permeability, which contribute to the pathogenesis of PD.

scholarly journals Gut microbiome and pediatric multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Tremlett ◽  
Emmanuelle Waubant
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
System Response ◽  
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Immune System Response ◽  
Food Digestion ◽  
High Level ◽  
Insight Into

Half of our cells and only 1 in 100 of our genes are human; the rest comprise microbes, termed the human microbiota. Over 90% of these microbes live in the large intestine. Aside from aiding food digestion, these diverse microbes can also synthesize essential vitamins or amino acids, educate and modulate the immune system response, and influence susceptibility or resistance to infections. Their potential to influence neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) is intriguing. The overarching goal of this Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) presentation was to provide a high-level insight into gut microbiota’s potential role in pediatric MS. Two specific questions were also addressed based on published work: (1) Does the gut microbiota differ between children with and without MS? and (2) Is the gut microbiota associated with future relapse risk?

scholarly journals ACE2--Molecular speculations on abdominal symptoms after COVID-19 infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianqiang Yu
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Abdominal Symptoms ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Organ Infection

There is growing evidence that the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are not just respiratory, but also gastrointestinal symptoms. The difference of organ infection should be considered. In addition, as a key molecule mediating viral infection of cells, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) provides an important intervention means for the exploration of antivirus. This is particularly important as the pandemic intensifies.

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