Impact of COVID-19 on the Gut Microbiome: A Review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in over 6 million deaths worldwide in fewer than four years and is a result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The protein that mediates SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is highly expressed on the membrane of gastrointestinal (GI) cells. Consequently, infection can lead to direct damage to the GI tract and gut dysbiosis, which is associated with an imbalance of microbiota, inflammation, and other systemic infections and diseases. In this review, we will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the GI system. We will examine the pathophysiology of gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients, as well as emphasize the significance of probiotics in addressing this condition. Additionally, we will identify key areas of interest that warrant further investigation.