Long Covid Patients Exhibit Significant Lung and Oral Microbiome Changes, Study Reveals
A study involving over 700 individuals has revealed that people suffering from Long Covid exhibit distinct alterations in the bacterial composition of their mouths and lungs. Published in the European Respiratory Journal, the research indicates that these changes in the lung microbiome are not only linked to respiratory symptoms but also to cognitive and digestive issues commonly associated with Long Covid. Researchers categorized participants into four groups based on symptom severity five months post-hospital discharge: 'very severe,' 'severe,' 'moderate,' and 'mild.' Six months after discharge, samples from their mouths and lungs were analyzed using DNA sequencing. The study found that individuals with 'very severe' Long Covid had pronounced differences in their oral and lung microbiomes compared to those with less severe symptoms. These changes included an over-abundance of lactic acid-producing bacteria, which was also correlated with signs of inflammation in blood samples.
