Alterations in the respiratory tract microbiome in COVID-19: current observations and potential significance.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 disease, which can result in consequences ranging from undetectable to fatal, focusing attention on the modulators of outcomes. The respiratory tract microbiome is thought to modulate the outcomes of infections such as influenza as well as acute lung injury, raising the question to what degree does the airway microbiome influence COVID-19? Here, we review the results of 56 studies examining COVID-19 and the respiratory tract microbiome, summarize the main generalizations, and point to useful avenues for further research. Although the results vary among studies, a few consistent findings stand out. The diversity of bacterial communities in the oropharynx typically declined with increasing disease severity. The relative abundance of Haemophilus and Neisse

SUBMITTER: Merenstein C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9532226 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature