Inflammation-type dysbiosis of the oral microbiome associates with the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and long COVID

• DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152346
• Publication Date: 2021-08-17T16:04:57Z
• Authors: John P. Haran; Evan Bradley; Abigail L. Zeamer; Lindsey Cincotta; Marie-Claire Salive; Protiva Dutta; Shafik Mutaawe; Otuwe Anya; Mario Meza-Segura; Ann M. Moormann; Doyle V. Ward; Beth A. McCormick; Vanni Bucci
• Keywords: Dysbiosis; Prevotella; Veillonella

In the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, many individuals experience prolonged symptoms, termed long-lasting symptoms (long COVID). Long COVID is thought to be linked immune dysregulation due harmful inflammation, with exact causes being unknown. Given role of microbiome in mediating we aimed examine relationship between oral and duration long symptoms. Tongue swabs were collected from patients presenting Confirmed infections followed until resolution all Bacterial composition was determined metagenomic sequencing. We used random forest modeling identify microbiota clinical covariates that are associated Of followed, 63% developed ongoing symptomatic 37% went on COVID. Patients had significantly higher abundances induced such as members genera Prevotella Veillonella, which, note, species produce LPS. The similar chronic fatigue syndrome. Altogether, our findings suggest an association COVID, revealing possibility dysfunction may have contributed this draining disease.