Potential beneficial role of probiotics on the outcome of COVID-19 patients: An evolving perspective

Luigi Santacroce; Francesco Inchingolo; Skender Topi; Raffaele Del Prete; Michele Di Cosola; Ioannis Alexandros Charitos; Monica Montagnani

doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2020.12.040

Potential beneficial role of probiotics on the outcome of COVID-19 patients: An evolving perspective

Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 Jan-Feb;15(1):295-301. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.12.040. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Authors

Luigi Santacroce¹, Francesco Inchingolo², Skender Topi³, Raffaele Del Prete⁴, Michele Di Cosola⁵, Ioannis Alexandros Charitos⁶, Monica Montagnani⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, p.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy; Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, "A. Xhuvani" University of Elbasan, Rruga Ismail Zyma, 3001, Elbasan, Albania.
² Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Dentistry Unit, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, p.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
³ Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, "A. Xhuvani" University of Elbasan, Rruga Ismail Zyma, 3001, Elbasan, Albania.
⁴ Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, p.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
⁵ Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Riuniti University Hospital of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto 1, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
⁶ Department of Emergency and Urgency, National Poisoning Center, Riuniti University Hospital of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto 1, 71122, Foggia, Italy. Electronic address: icharitos@ospedaliriunitifoggia.it.
⁷ Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology - Section of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, p.zza G. Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.

Abstract

Background and aims: Probiotics can support the body's systems in fighting viral infections. This review is aimed to focus current knowledge about the use of probiotics as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We performed an extensive research using the PubMed-LitCovid, Cochrane Library, Embase databases, and conducting manual searches on Google Scholar, Elsevier Connect, Web of Science about this issue.

Results: We have found several papers reporting data about the potential role of probiotics as well as contrasting experimental data about it.

Conclusions: Most data show good results demonstrating that probiotics can play a significant role in fighting SARS-CoV-2 infection, also compared with their use in the past for various diseases. They seem effective in lowering inflammatory status, moreover in patients with chronic comorbidities such as cancer and diabetes, improving clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Dysbiosis; Human microbiota; Pharmacological effects; Probiotics; SARS-Cov-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / diet therapy*
COVID-19 / epidemiology*
Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
Humans
Probiotics / administration & dosage*
Treatment Outcome