Viruses (May 2024)

Gut Microbiome and Cytokine Profiles in Post-COVID Syndrome

  • Karakoz Mussabay,
  • Samat Kozhakhmetov,
  • Marat Dusmagambetov,
  • Aitolkyn Mynzhanova,
  • Madiyar Nurgaziyev,
  • Zharkyn Jarmukhanov,
  • Elizaveta Vinogradova,
  • Aigul Dusmagambetova,
  • Aiganym Daulbaeva,
  • Laura Chulenbayeva,
  • Ainur Tauekelova,
  • Makhabbat Bekbossynova,
  • Almagul Kushugulova

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050722
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 5
p. 722

Abstract

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Recent studies highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiome in post-infectious complications, especially in patients recovering from severe COVID-19. Our research aimed to explore the connection between gut microbiome changes and the cytokine profile of patients with post-COVID syndrome. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we analyzed the composition of the gut microbiome in 60 COVID-19 patients over the course of one year. We also measured the levels of serum cytokines and chemokines using the Milliplex system. Our results showed that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, especially those complicated by pneumonia, induce a pro-inflammatory microbial milieu with heightened presence of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella_9. Furthermore, we found that post-COVID syndrome is characterized by a cross-correlation of various cytokines and chemokines MDC, IL-1b, Fractalkine, TNFa, FGF-2, EGF, IL-1RA, IFN-a2, IL-10, sCD40L, IL-8, Eotaxin, IL-12p40, and MIP-1b as well as a shift in the gut microbiome towards a pro-inflammatory profile. At the functional level, our analysis revealed associations with post-COVID-19 in homolactic fermentation, pentose phosphate, NAD salvage, and flavin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota, their metabolites, and systemic cytokines in shaping post-COVID symptoms. Unraveling the gut microbiome’s role in post-infectious complications opens avenues for new treatments for those patients with prolonged symptoms.

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