Alteration Of Gut Microbiota Affects The Severity And Complications Of COVID-19
BY TYLER DURDEN
WEDNESDAY, MAR 06, 2024 - 10:20 PM
Authored by Elllen Wan via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Increasing evidence suggests that
alterations in the gut microbiota are associated with the development, severity, and sequelae of COVID-19 infection.
In the adult digestive tract, there are approximately
100 trillion microbes, 10 times the number of human cells, and they weigh about 4.41 pounds. These organisms are immune system guardians and can help remove viruses.
Certain Gut Bacteria Can Inactivate COVID-19 Virus
In a
new study published in Cell Host & Microbe, researchers evaluated the impact of gut microbiota composition on respiratory viral infections through animal experiments. The results showed that segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) in the gut could protect mice from viral influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the COVID-19 virus.
Studies have indicated that SFB, whether naturally present or acquired, can combat viral infections with the help of alveolar macrophages in the lungs.
Alveolar macrophages serve as the first line of defense against respiratory pathogens.
In mice that don’t have SFB, these immune cells were rapidly depleted as infection progressed. Conversely, in mice with SFB in the gut, these immune cells underwent alterations to resist the inflammatory signaling induced by the influenza virus. Moreover, alveolar macrophages directly disabled the influenza virus.