COVID-19 Pneumonia and Gut Inflammation

COVID-19 Pneumonia and Gut Inflammation: The Role of a Mix of Three Probiotic Strains in Reducing Inflammatory Markers and Need for Oxygen Support

The primary objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mix of three probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium lactis LA 304, Lactobacillus salivarius LA 302, and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA 201; Lactibiane Iki®) in the reduction in fecal calprotectin in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, compared to a control group. The secondary aim was to evaluate the reduction in oxygen support and length of hospital stay in patients taking the probiotic mix.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients admitted to our hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection with respiratory and/or gastrointestinal symptomsandradiological imaging (chest X-ray/CT with/without contrast) of interstitial pneumonia. Patients with mild COVID-19 disease (requiring oxygen support with 2L or 4L nasal cannula or Ventimask 28-35-40% to reach a SpO2-target of 95%)

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients on antibiotic therapy or patients who had taken antibiotics in the previous month; patients with IBD,IBS,or infectious colitis of non-COVID-19 bacterial and/or viral etiology; patients with colonic neoplasia (first to last stage); patients who had undergone colon surgery; patients with severe hepatopathy, nephropathy, heart disease or terminal oncological disease; pregnant women; and patients in circulatory shock and under positive pressure support on admission to hospital.