A group of Spanish scientists led by the Research Professor Yolanda Sanz Herranz (IATA-CSIC) has recently started a research project that seeks the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the incidence, evolution and severity of the coronavirus in each patient. The objective of this research is to find out the immunological mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota would be able to protect the body from the virus , thus reducing the severity of the symptoms.

Professor Sanz, postdoctoral researcher in molecular microbiology, researcher at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology of Spain and leader of the project, has stated that this relationship between microbiota – coronavirus severity has not yet been clinically proven, but that it is based on a truth known to science for a long time: the bacteria that live in the intestines of humans regulate the functioning of the immune system throughout the body and influence the treatment of respiratory infections.

Sanz affirms that in other diseases, such as influenza, it has been shown that these bacteria can increase or reduce the susceptibility of patients. “ There is also data that indicates that the microbiota can improve the response to vaccines, as happens for example with seasonal flu,” says Sanz. And she adds: “That is why we think that the microbiota could also confer more or less protection to people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 .”

What is proven is that coronavirus can be detected in the feces of patients and that its ACE-2 receptor is also expressed in cells of the intestine and colon.

Preliminary study with coronavirus patients
As the start of the project, which is expected to have definitive conclusions later this year, Sanz and his team also took into account the result of a preliminary study published in Germany, carried out only in 15 adults, in which it was observed that patients with coronavirus suffered a significant alteration in the normal composition of the intestinal microbiota.

Another key factor to insist on this hypothesis, says the researcher, is that it has been proven that the coronavirus can be detected in the feces of patients and that its receptor ACE-2 is also expressed in cells of the intestine and colon. “ Although these data do not show a direct relationship between the microbiota and COVID-19 infection, they do allow us to establish a hypothesis and begin to investigate “, says Yolanda Sanz.

The study, funded by the CSIC Global Health Platform , includes patients who have already had the disease, in order to analyze whether their intestinal bacteria have been related to the severity of the infection, with hospital admission, with the severity of the symptoms and with the production of antibodies; individuals who have not suffered the virus also participate to study the behavior of their intestinal bacteria in healthy conditions.

Comprehensive follow-up of cases
In this research project, the cases that are still positive will also be monitored to see if the infected person suffers a significant alteration in their microbiota. “We are conducting tests in the general population and in people with cancer because they are more vulnerable to infection and have a worse prognosis “, reports Dr. Sanz.

Determination of risk by the genome of each individual
If the relationship between the coronavirus and the microbiota is confirmed, determined by the genome of each individual and by external factors such as diet, it will be possible to better characterize the patients to know which ones are the most risk. “ What we propose is that intestinal bacteria markers are also included in the diagnosis of patients in order to help improve clinical predictions “, as corroborated by Dr. Sanz.

Search for beneficial bacteria in the microbiota to combat SARS-COVID
The research will also be able to determine which specific bacteria, of the more than a thousand species that exist in the intestine, are closely related to a lower or higher susceptibility to infection, in order to enhance the presence of beneficial bacteria through the diet or by administering them artificially, in capsules or medications. “We have to find out which components of the microbiota can provide greater protection against COVID to help improve patients’ symptoms and reduce mortality. That is our ultimate goal ”, concludes Sanz.

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From here, we will inform you of the news and events of our research group of the IATA-CSIC : Microbiome and Innovation in Nutrition and Health . Another of our objectives, in addition to promptly communicating our research activities and Leer más / Read more

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