The lung-gut axis and COVID-19

This review summarizes relevant scientific literature analyzing the lung-gut axis and its association with coronavirus infection (COVID-19), lesions to the gastrointestinal tract caused by this infection, and state of the microbiome. Approximately 20%–50% of COVID-19 patients have such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in their feces. Therefore, investigation of the virus effect on the gastrointestinal tract and its commensal flora is important not only for research purposes, but for clinical practice, since patients with COVID-19 demonstrate both qualitative and quantitative changes in their microbiome. The latter may serve as a basis for the development of additional probiotic therapy for gastrointestinal lesions in COVID-19 patients. Despite the existing evidence, it is still necessary to clarify the effect of the intestinal microbiome on the pathogenesis of coronavirus infection and the disease course. © 2021, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.