Title: Study Reveals Gut Fungi’s Role in Long Covid Symptoms and Lung Damage
Subtitle: Doctors Observe Inflammation and Increased Infections in Persistent Covid-19 Cases
Date: October 27, 2023
Researchers at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York have discovered that gut fungi may contribute to the worsening symptoms of long Covid. This finding comes as doctors continue to investigate why some individuals struggle to recover from the virus.
In their study, the scientists identified a link between the growth of intestinal fungi, known as mycobiota, and an increase in immune cells related to lung damage, or fibrosis, in Covid-19 patients. Severe infections of the virus were found to promote the thriving of gut-dwelling fungi, such as Candida albicans yeast. This led to excessive inflammation, exacerbating the disease and causing long-term changes to immunity.
Dr. Mary Thomas from NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi warns that when the protective microbiota in the gut is disrupted, it can open the door for other pathogens to enter the bloodstream, leading to serious fungal infections and a prolonged recovery from SARS-CoV-2.
Immunologists have drawn parallels between the effects of new viral infections of Covid-19 and inflammatory bowel disease, both triggering harmful inflammation within the body. Doctors in the UAE have also observed inflammation as a common occurrence in patients with persistent Covid-19 symptoms.
Dr. Sukhant Bagdia, a pulmonologist at Burjeel Medical City, explains that this inflammation is particularly prevalent in patients dependent on oxygen support in intensive care for extended periods. He suggests that these individuals may be at higher risk of secondary infections and the development of lung fibrosis, which restricts their quality of life.
Researchers from Weill Cornell tested blood samples from 91 hospitalized Covid-19 patients in 2020 and compared them with samples from 36 individuals who had never tested positive for the virus. Those with severe Covid-19 had approximately four times the number of antibodies associated with common gut fungal species. This finding came as a surprise, as severe cases of Covid-19 and long Covid were not previously linked to potentially harmful fungal blooms in the intestines.
To further investigate, the researchers used preclinical mouse models and found that mice carrying the same fungi discovered in severely ill patients produced more immune cells associated with inflammation in both their blood and lungs. The administration of anti-fungal drugs to these mice reduced the inflammation, raising hopes for potential future treatments for humans.
Dr. Mary Thomas, a family medicine specialist at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi, emphasizes that numerous studies have shown that a Covid-19 infection leads to changes in the gut microbiome. Disruptions to the microbiome can arise from direct infection in the gut or as a response to increased inflammation and interaction between the oral, lung, and gut microbiomes. Unnecessary antibiotic use is a significant cause of major alterations in the body’s natural microbiota.
Dr. Thomas suggests that the restoration of gut microbiota using probiotics shows promise in improving rehabilitation for long Covid patients.
According to one of the largest studies on long Covid in the UK, approximately 1 in 20 people diagnosed with the virus still reported symptoms 12 months later. Imperial College London conducted this assessment as part of the national React surveillance study.
Gut microbes play a crucial role in regulating intestinal physiology, overall health, and can even impact metabolism, aging, and disease progression.
Another notable observation by doctors is the increase in allergies among long Covid sufferers. This includes cases where individuals develop asthma or exhibit asthma-like symptoms despite no previous history of the condition. These molecular changes triggered by the virus may contribute to inflammation within the body and the rise in allergies and asthmatics post Covid-19 infection.
Dr. Niyas Khalid, an internal medicine specialist at Burjeel Medical City who contracted Covid-19 in April 2020, expresses the need for a systematic study on how the virus has affected the immune system. This knowledge will enable physicians to respond more effectively to the range of post-Covid conditions that patients are experiencing.
In conclusion, the recent study conducted by Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences sheds light on the connection between gut fungi, long Covid symptoms, and lung damage. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of the gut microbiome in Covid-19 recovery and developing tailored treatments for long Covid patients.
Study finds association between harmful gut fungi and Long Covid.
I have over 10 years of experience in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I have attended numerous conferences and events around the world, and my work has been featured in major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and Yahoo Finance.
