Evaluation of the gut microbiota patterns in patients with COVID-19: a protocol for a pilot study

Abstract

Background SARS-CoV-2 caused an outbreak in late December 2019. It has been suggested that the gut microbiota dysbiosis influences severity, mortality, and quality of life of patients with COVID-19. So, identifying the gut microbiota pattern could be helpful to determine prognosis of the disease, and maybe determine some potential treatment approaches. Our aim will be to compare gut microbiota patterns between patients with severe or non-severe COVID-19, and healthy controls. Methods We will include 40 samples: 20 samples from COVID-19 patients, including 10 severe patients and 10 non-severe patients, and 20 samples from healthy controls. Total bacterial DNA will be extracted from samples and 16S rRNA gene will be amplified through two PCR stages. Fecal samples will be analyzed using a targeted metabolomics technique, and a total of 198 compounds will be measured. The differences in each RNA or DNA expression between patients with severe COVID-19, patients with non-severe COVID-19, and controls will be compared. Also, we will assess the relationships between each DNA or RNA as well as the risk of COVID-19 severity, sort of clinical manifestations, and comorbidities Discussion The results of our study could be the backbone for further trials which might lead to development of prognostic factors and treatment options.