Gut bacterial dysbiosis and instability is associated with the onset of complications and mortality in COVID-19. (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schult, David; Reitmeier, Sandra; Koyumdzhieva, Plamena; Lahmer, Tobias; Middelhoff, Moritz; Erber, Johanna; Schneider, Jochen; Kager, Juliane; Frolova, Marina; Horstmann, Julia; Fricke, Lisa; Steiger, Katja; Jesinghaus, Moritz; Janssen, Klaus-Peter; Protzer, Ulrike; Neuhaus, Klaus; Schmid, Roland M.; Haller, Dirk; Quante, Michael
• Is Part Of: Gut microbes. Volume 14:Isuse 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: Coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- complications -- gut microbiome -- oral microbiome; Gastrointestinal system -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Intestine, Small -- Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2031840
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1949-0984

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a growing debate about the involvement of the gut microbiome in COVID-19, although it is not conclusively understood whether the microbiome has an impact on COVID-19, or vice versa, especially as analysis of amplicon data in hospitalized patients requires sophisticated cohort recruitment and integration of clinical parameters. Here, we analyzed fecal and saliva samples from SARS-CoV-2 infected and post COVID-19 patients and controls considering multiple influencing factors during hospitalization. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on fecal and saliva samples from 108 COVID-19 and 22 post COVID-19 patients, 20 pneumonia controls and 26 asymptomatic controls. Patients were recruited over the first and second corona wave in Germany and detailed clinical parameters were considered. Serial samples per individual allowed intra-individual analysis. We found the gut and oral microbiota to be altered depending on number and type of COVID-19-associated complications and disease severity. The occurrence of individual complications was correlated with low-risk (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausznitzii ) and high-risk bacteria (e.g., Parabacteroides ssp.). We demonstrated that a stable gut bacterial composition was associated with a favorable disease progression. Based on gut microbial profiles, we identified a model to estimate mortality in COVID-19. Gut microbiota are associated with the occurrence of complications in COVID-19 and may thereby influencing disease severity. A stable gut microbial composition may contribute to a favorable disease progression and using bacterial signatures to estimate mortality could contribute to diagnostic approaches. Importantly, we highlight challenges in the analysis of microbial data in the context of hospitalization.