A new study has shown that gut bacteria may change due to infection with the novel coronavirus, which could affect the severity, duration, and symptom intensity of the illness.
Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that patients infected with the virus experienced significant changes in their gut microbiome compared to uninfected individuals, and these disruptions were evident for at least 30 days after recovery. According to the New York Post, the researchers discovered a correlation between severe symptoms of the virus and high levels of inflammatory cytokines in the patients' blood plasma, along with significant gastrointestinal disturbances during the infection phase.
The authors wrote in their study published in the British medical journal Gut: "Although the novel coronavirus is primarily a respiratory disease, there is increasing evidence that the gastrointestinal system is also involved, and that gut bacteria affect the immune response to this virus and may play a significant role in the severity of the infection." Additionally, the researchers noted that the imbalance observed in gut bacteria even after recovery could be a contributing factor to the so-called long-term symptoms of coronavirus infection, which can persist for several months after recovery from the disease. According to the New York Times, up to one-third of individuals infected with the novel coronavirus experience long-term symptoms, which can range from chest pain and fatigue to irregular heartbeat, leaving many unable to return to work and some requiring long-term medical care as well.
