The Role of Bacterial and Fungal Human Respiratory Microbiota in COVID‐19 Patients

Abstract

Recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), has led to a worldwide pandemic with millions of infected patients. Alteration in humans’ microbiota was also reported in COVID‐19 patients. The alteration in human microbiota may contribute to bacterial or viral infections and affect the immune system. Moreover, human’s microbiota can be altered due to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and these microbiota changes can indicate the progression of COVID‐19. While current studies focus on the gut microbiota, it seems necessary to pay attention to the lung microbiota in COVID‐19. This study is aimed at reviewing respiratory microbiota dysbiosis among COVID‐19 patients to encourage further studies on the field for assessment of SARS‐CoV‐2 and respiratory microbiota interaction.