Covid-19 is a major pandemic facing the world today caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has implications on our understanding of infectious diseases. Although, SARS-Cov-2 primarily causes lung infection through binding of ACE2 receptors present on the alveolar epithelial cells, yet it was recently reported that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in the faeces of infected patients. Interestingly, the intestinal epithelial cells particularly the enterocytes of the small intestine also express ACE2 receptors. Role of the gut microbiota in influencing lung diseases has been well articulated. It is also known that respiratory virus infection causes perturbations in the gut microbiota. Diet, environmental factors and genetics play an important role in shaping gut microbiota which can influence immunity. Gut microbiota diversity is decreased in old age and Covid-19 has been mainly fatal in elderly patients which again points to the role the gut microbiota may play in this disease. Improving gut microbiota profile by personalized nutrition and supplementation known to improve immunity can be one of the prophylactic ways by which the impact of this disease can be minimized in old people and immune-compromised patients. More trials may be initiated to see the effect of co-supplementation of personalized functional food including prebiotics/probiotics along with current therapies.

中文翻译：

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肠道菌群和Covid-19-可能的联系和含义。

Covid-19是由SARS-CoV-2引起的当今世界面临的主要大流行，这对我们对传染病的理解具有影响。尽管SARS-Cov-2主要通过结合在肺泡上皮细胞上的ACE2受体引起肺部感染，但最近有报道称在受感染患者的粪便中发现了SARS-CoV-2 RNA。有趣的是，肠上皮细胞，特别是小肠的肠上皮细胞也表达ACE2受体。肠道菌群在影响肺部疾病中的作用已被很好地阐明。还已知呼吸道病毒感染引起肠道菌群的扰动。饮食，环境因素和遗传因素在影响肠道菌群的过程中起着重要作用，从而影响免疫力。肠道菌群多样性在老年时会降低，而Covid-19主要在老年患者中致命，这再次表明肠道菌群可能在该疾病中发挥作用。通过个性化营养和已知可以提高免疫力的补充来改善肠道微生物区系，可以成为预防方法之一，通过这种方法可以在老年人和免疫受损的患者中最大程度地降低这种疾病的影响。可能会启动更多的试验，以了解共同补充个性化功能食品（包括益生元/益生菌）和当前疗法的效果。通过个性化营养和已知可以提高免疫力的补充来改善肠道微生物区系，可以成为预防方法之一，通过这种方法可以在老年人和免疫受损的患者中最大程度地降低这种疾病的影响。可能会启动更多的试验，以了解共同补充个性化功能食品（包括益生元/益生菌）和当前疗法的效果。通过个性化营养和已知可以提高免疫力的补充来改善肠道微生物区系，可以成为预防方法之一，通过这种方法可以在老年人和免疫受损的患者中最大程度地降低这种疾病的影响。可能会启动更多的试验，以了解共同补充个性化功能食品（包括益生元/益生菌）和当前疗法的效果。