Gut microbiota: A potential player in psychiatric symptoms during COVID-19

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to explore the potential interconnections among gut microbiota, COVID-19 infection, depression and anxiety disorder. Additionally, it tries to assess potential therapeutic interventions that may improve the dysbiosis of gut microbiota.

Methods

To achieve these objectives, we reviewed existing literature, encompassing studies and critical reviews that intersect the domains of gut microbiota, COVID-19, depression and anxiety disorders.

Results

The findings highlight a notable correlation between the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and psychiatric symptoms in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, there is a marked reduction in the populations of bacteria that generate anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), alongside a rise in the prevalence of gut bacterial clusters linked to inflammatory processes. Furthermore, several potential treatment strategies were summarised for improving the dysbiosis.

Conclusions

Gut microbiota plays a significant role in psychiatric symptoms during COVID-19, which has significant implications for the study and prevention of psychiatric symptoms in major epidemic diseases.

Keywords:

• Gut microbiota
• COVID-19
• anxiety
• depression
• psychiatric symptoms

Acknowledgements

None.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to performing the literature search and writing the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Statement of interest

There are no potential conflicts of interest declared by the authors with regards to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.