Journal Article Summary
Covid-19 is a disease of the lungs, which differentially affects those it infects. There are currently no therapies that have been approved for use in Covid-19 patients. However recent evidence has highlighted a possible link between the gut and the lungs, known as the gut-lung axis indicating a new avenue for investigation. Previous trials on probiotics have indicated a role in infections such as cold and flu highlighting a possible role in Covid-19 infection. This randomised control trial of 300 Covid-19 patients aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a probiotic known as AB21 containing several strains of Lactoplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici. The results showed that after 30 days, the rate of remission from Covid-19 was higher in those who were given the probiotic, which was regardless of age, sex, confounding metabolic illness, viral load, and days from symptom start. Symptom duration and viral load were also reduced with probiotic use. Higher amounts of Covid-19 associated immune activity and lower biomarkers of inflammation were also reported following probiotic use. Probiotic use was shown to be safe during Covid-19 infection. It was concluded that the use of AB21 in Covid-19 patients was safe and associated with increased viral and symptom resolution compared to placebo, possibly driven by immune alterations via the gut-lung axis. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to seriously consider the use of this probiotic to stimulate immune activity and aid viral and symptom resolution in patients suffering from Covid-19.
