In an intensive look at the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on patients’ microbiomes, scientists found that acute infection disrupts a healthy balance between good and bad microbes in the gut, especially with antibiotic treatment.
The work may lead to the development of probiotic supplements to redress any gut imbalances in future patients.
The study was designed to zero in on the microbiome because many COVID-19 sufferers complained of gastrointestinal issues during the acute phases of their illness and while recuperating.
“We wanted to gain a deeper understanding by looking at specimens that would give us an indication about the state of the gut microbiome in people,” said Martin Blaser, the Henry Rutgers Chair of the Human Microbiome at Rutgers University. “What we found was that, while there were differences between people who had COVID-19 and those who were not ill, the biggest difference from others was seen in those who had been administered antibiotics.”
The scientists studied microbiomes by measuring populations of microorganisms in stool samples taken from 60 subjects. The study group consisted of 20 COVID-19 patients, 20 healthy donors and 20 COVID-19-recovered subjects.
They found major differences in the population numbers of 55 different species of bacteria when comparing the microbiomes of infected patients with the healthy and recovered patients.
The scientists plan to continue to test and track the microbiomes of the patients in the study.
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