Probiotics in viral infections, with a focus on COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Aim: COVID-19, a newly discovered virus disease, can be affected by probiotics. So, we tried to review the possible effects and associations of probiotics on viral infections focusing on SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We searched on PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science up to May 2020 to identify interventional & observational studies documenting the effects of probiotics strains on interleukins, virus titres, and antibody production with a focus on confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: From a total of 93 records, 21 studies were obtained and classified into three domains based on the efficacy of probiotics on 1)the level of interleukins (n=7), 2)virus titres reduction (n=2), and 3)antibody production (n=12). The suppuration of proinflammatory interleukins and type I interferon (IFN) production seemed to be the main anti-viral strategy of probiotics. Conclusion: Based on evidence, some probiotic strains may be useful in SARS-CoV-2 infection; randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Peranan Probiotik dalam Penanganan Infeksi COVID-19

“…Penderita COVID-19 dapat mengalami disbiosis yang ditandai dengan menurunnya Lactobacillus dan Bifidobacterium, di samping juga akibat penggunaan antibiotik yang sering menyebabkan antibiotic-associated diarrhea. 18 Belum banyak studi atau penelitian yang menjelaskan efektivitas penggunaan probiotik dalam mengatasi infeksi COVID-19. Sebagian besar bukti penelitian efek probiotik dilakukan pada virus-virus influenza yang bukan merupakan strain virus SARS CoV-2.…”

Response to the letter of L. Santacroce regarding article “Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review” (Jayawardena et al.)

“…A COVID-19 patient with multiple complications reported a favourable outcome after administration of probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii, along with vitamins & minerals [6]. Similarly, a 9 years old boy diagnosed with COVID 19 exhibited disappearance of mild diarrhoea symptoms when administered probiotics [6].…”

“…A COVID-19 patient with multiple complications reported a favourable outcome after administration of probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii, along with vitamins & minerals [6]. Similarly, a 9 years old boy diagnosed with COVID 19 exhibited disappearance of mild diarrhoea symptoms when administered probiotics [6]. The usefulness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of viral infections are clear, due to their proven immunomodulatory activity and ability to stimulate interferon production [6].…”

“…Similarly, a 9 years old boy diagnosed with COVID 19 exhibited disappearance of mild diarrhoea symptoms when administered probiotics [6]. The usefulness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of viral infections are clear, due to their proven immunomodulatory activity and ability to stimulate interferon production [6]. Therefore the gutelung axis explains the possible relationship likely to occur between respiratory diseases and the gut microbiome [2].…”

Identification and growth study of potential probiotic isolated from pineapple, watermelon, and banana peels

“…The currently available probiotics are mostly bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, and Bacillus (Akter & Rabeta, 2021;Hill et al, 2014). Among all lactobacilli species, several members operating in the gastrointestinal tract and nasal-pharynx have a good anti-corona viral activity (Pourhossein & Moravejolahkami, 2020). On contrary to bacteria, despite their significance and distribution in foods, a research gap was found in the study of probiotic potential from yeasts (Chen et al, 2010).…”