The Role of Bacterial and Fungal Human Respiratory Microbiota in COVID-19 Patients

Biomed Res Int. 2021 Feb 23:2021:6670798. doi: 10.1155/2021/6670798. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has led to a worldwide pandemic with millions of infected patients. Alteration in humans' microbiota was also reported in COVID-19 patients. The alteration in human microbiota may contribute to bacterial or viral infections and affect the immune system. Moreover, human's microbiota can be altered due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and these microbiota changes can indicate the progression of COVID-19. While current studies focus on the gut microbiota, it seems necessary to pay attention to the lung microbiota in COVID-19. This study is aimed at reviewing respiratory microbiota dysbiosis among COVID-19 patients to encourage further studies on the field for assessment of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory microbiota interaction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / microbiology
  • Dysbiosis* / immunology
  • Dysbiosis* / microbiology
  • Dysbiosis* / virology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lung* / immunology
  • Lung* / microbiology
  • Lung* / virology
  • Mycobiome / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*