Oral probiotics in coronavirus disease 2019: connecting the gut-lung axis to viral pathogenesis, inflammation, secondary infection and clinical trials.

ABSTRACT: Defined as helpful live bacteria that can provide medical advantages to the host when administered in tolerable amounts, oral probiotics might be worth considering as a possible preventive or therapeutic modality to mitigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom severity. This hypothesis stems from an emerging understanding of the gut-lung axis wherein probiotic microbial species in the digestive tract can influence systemic immunity, lung immunity, and possibly viral pathogenesis and secondary infection co-morbidities. We review the principles underlying the gut-lung axis, examples of probiotic-associated antiviral activities, and current clinical trials in COVID-19 based on oral probiotics.

SUBMITTER: Baindara P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7785423 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature