American researchers have observed that infection with the coronavirus could impact the intestinal flora and promote the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria within the body.
- The intestinal microbiota characterizes all microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and non-pathogenic fungi living in the intestines.
- The intestinal flora has several roles: it fights against pathogenic bacteria, it promotes transit and ensures the fermentation of substrates as well as indigestible food residues.
In the majority of cases, Covid-19 causes mild symptoms that can be characterized by fever, cough, fatigue or loss of taste and smell. However, this infection can lead to serious respiratory and neurological complications, especially in fragile patients.
Microbiota: the coronavirus alters the intestinal balance
In a recent study published in the journal Kind Communication, researchers have also found that the coronavirus could be responsible for an imbalance in the intestinal flora. Also called intestinal microbiota, it includes all the microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites and non-pathogenic fungi) that evolve in the intestines.
To reach this conclusion, the scientists recruited 100 men and women hospitalized with Sars-CoV-2 infection in 2020. According to the study authors, a quarter of the patients had intestines dominated by a single type of bacterium.“Our findings suggest that coronavirus infection directly interferes with the healthy balance of microbes in the gut, further endangering patients in the process”said Ken Cadwell, co-lead author of the study and microbiologist, in a statement from New York University.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria in blood after infection
During the study, the researchers also noted an increase in the populations of potentially dangerous microbes for the body. In 20% of patients, bacteria resistant to antibiotics were identified in the bloodstream.
According to the scientists, their study is the first to demonstrate the consequences of Covid-19 on the intestinal microbiota. “Now that we’ve uncovered the source of this bacterial imbalance, doctors can better identify which coronavirus patients are most at risk for a secondary bloodstream infection.”underlined Ken Cadwell.
