The gut microbiome in post-COVID syndrome patients

<p>Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is a debilitating condition that affects a significant number of COVID-19 survivors worldwide. PCS is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment, and gastrointestinal issues. The frequent occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms has prompted researchers to investigate the role of the gut microbiota in the development and progression of PCS. This review synthesizes findings from recent studies, providing a comprehensive overview of gut microbiota changes in both COVID-19 patients and PCS patients. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 can cause lasting alterations in gut microbiota, marked by reduced microbial diversity, an increase in opportunistic pathogens, and a decrease in beneficial bacteria that support immune and metabolic health. In addition, host-microbe interactions such as the gut-lung, gut-brain, and gut-heart axes are explored to understand the impact of gut microbes on systemic health. Finally, potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for PCS are discussed, including the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore microbial balance and alleviate symptoms.</p>