Probiotics: A potential immunomodulator in COVID-19 infection management
Review of studies supporting the use of probiotics for respiratory infections and identification of microbial strains potentially beneficial for COVID-19.
Singh et al., 13 Feb 2021, peer-reviewed, 2 authors.
Abstract: Nutrition Research 87 (2021) 1–12
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/NTR
Review Article
Probiotics: A potential immunomodulator in
COVID-19 infection management
Kuljit Singh a,#, Alka Rao a,b,∗
a CSIR-Institute
b Academy
of Microbial Technology, Sector 39A, Chandigarh 160036 India
of Scientific and Innovation Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002 India
a r t i c l e
i n f o
a b s t r a c t
Article history:
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 affects the
Received 1 June 2020
human respiratory tract’s epithelial cells, leading to a proinflammatory cytokine storm and
Revised 2 December 2020
chronic lung inflammation. With numerous patients dying daily, a vaccine and specific an-
Accepted 15 December 2020
tiviral drug regimens are being explored. Probiotics are live microorganisms with proven
beneficial effects on human health. While probiotics as nutritional supplements are long
practiced in different cuisines across various countries, the emerging scientific evidence
Keywords:
supports the antiviral and general immune-strengthening health effects of the probiotics.
COVID-19
Here, we present an overview of the experimental studies published in the last 10 years
Influenza virus
that provide a scientific basis for unexplored probiotics as a preventive approach to respira-
Lactobacillus
tory viral infections. Based on collated insights from these experimental data, we identify
Probiotics
promising microbial strains that may serve as lead prophylactic and immune-boosting pro-
Respiratory viral infection
biotics in COVID-19 management.
SARS-CoV-2
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