Gut Microbiota Diversity and C-Reactive Protein Are Predictors of Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients

• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.705020
• Publication Date: 2021-07-19T08:41:07Z
• Authors: André Moreira-Ros...; Cláudia Marques; Hélder Pinheiro; João Ricardo Araújo; Pedro Ribeiro; Rita Rocha; Inês Mota; Diogo Pestana; Rita Ribeiro; Ana Pereira; Maria José de Sousa; José Pereira-Leal; José de Sousa; Juliana Morais; Diana Teixeira; Júlio César Rocha; Marta Silvestre; Nuno Príncipe; Nuno Gatta; José Amado; Lurdes Santos; Fernando Maltez; Ana Boquinhas; Germano de Sousa; Nuno Germano; Gonçalo Sarmento; Cristina Granja; Pedro Póvoa; Ana Faria; Conceição Calhau
• Keywords: Procalcitonin; Univariate analysis

The risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity are still poorly understood. Considering the pivotal role of gut microbiota on host immune and inflammatory functions, we investigated association between changes in composition clinical COVID-19. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study prospectively enrolling 115 COVID-19 patients categorized according to: (1) WHO Clinical Progression Scale—mild, 19 (16.5%); moderate, 37 (32.2%); or severe, 59 (51.3%), (2) location recovery from COVID-19—ambulatory, 14 (household isolation, 12.2%); hospitalized ward, 40 (34.8%); intensive care unit, 61 (53.0%). Gut analysis was performed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, data obtained were further related to parameters patients. identified by univariate multivariable logistic regression models. In comparison mild patients, moderate severe have: (a) lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio; (b) higher abundance Proteobacteria; (c) beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria such as genera Roseburia Lachnospira . Multivariable showed that Shannon diversity index [odds ratio (OR) = 2.85, 95% CI 1.09–7.41, p 0.032) C-reactive protein (OR 3.45, 1.33–8.91, 0.011) (a score 6 Scale). conclusion, our results demonstrated with have microbial signatures dysbiosis; first time, is pointed out prognostic biomarker severity.