Comparison of microbial diversity of respiratory tract between COVID-19 patients and healthy population

Abstract

Since its outbreak in late 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been the main subject of interest for a number of studies. Clinical manifestations are ranging from asymptomatic to mild and severe. Major risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 are age and comorbidities, although younger people suffer from severe COVID-19 as well. One of the explanations for why can be the composition of respiratory tract microbiota. In this article, we review studies linking respiratory tract microbiome and its changes during COVID-19 infection. The respiratory tract microbiome helps shape immunity and it is assumed that it can affect the outcome of several viral infections. Several studies show differences in the microbial composition of the respiratory tract between COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals. The diversity of the respiratory tract microbiome is reduced with increasing severity of COVID-19.