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Gut-Lung Axis Plays Crucial Role in Recovery from Severe COVID-19

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have identified that the composition of the gut microbiome and associated metabolites can predict the trajectory of respiratory function and death in patients with severe SARS-Cov-2 infection. According to a study, the gut-lung axis plays an important role in the recovery from COVID-19. The study found that increased representation of Proteobacteria in the fecal microbiota and decreased concentrations of fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine (DAT) were associated with mortality. A microbiome metabolic profile (MMP) that accounts for fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine concentrations was independently associated with progression of respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The composition of the gut microbiome and associated metabolites can predict the trajectory of respiratory function and death in patients with severe SARS-Cov-2 infection.
  • Increased representation of Proteobacteria in the fecal microbiota was associated with mortality.
  • Decreased concentrations of fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine (DAT) were associated with mortality.
  • A microbiome metabolic profile (MMP) that accounts for fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine concentrations predicted progression of respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation.
  • The study suggests that the gut-lung axis plays an important role in the recovery from COVID-19.
  • The research was conducted on 71 patients with severe SARS-Cov-2 infection.
  • 39 patients survived, while 32 died.

Statistics:

  • 71 patients were enrolled in the study.
  • 39 patients survived, while 32 died.
  • Increased representation of Proteobacteria in the fecal microbiota was associated with mortality.
  • Decreased concentrations of fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine (DAT) were associated with mortality.
  • The microbiome metabolic profile (MMP) that accounts for fecal secondary bile acids and desaminotyrosine concentrations predicted progression of respiratory failure leading to mechanical ventilation.

Sources:

  • Immunomodulatory Fecal Metabolites Are Associated With Mortality In Covid-19 Patients With Respiratory Failure. Nature Communications, 2022;13(1).
  • Nature Portfolio, Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany.
  • University of Chicago Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, United States.
  • Bhakti K. Patel, et al. "Immunomodulatory Fecal Metabolites Are Associated With Mortality In Covid-19 Patients With Respiratory Failure." Nature Communications, vol. 13, no. 1, 2022.

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