AI Insight
A study of over 700 individuals published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people with long COVID exhibit distinct differences in the bacterial composition of their oral and lung microbiomes compared to those without the condition. These microbiome variations in the lungs were specifically associated with respiratory symptoms as well as cognitive and digestive problems characteristic of long COVID.
Why it matters
Understanding the connection between microbiome differences and long COVID symptoms could lead to new diagnostic tools and potential treatment approaches targeting the bacterial communities in the respiratory tract. This research provides biological evidence for long COVID symptoms and may help explain why some patients experience persistent multi-system effects after infection.
Understand the Science
People with long COVID have distinct differences in the mix of bacteria that live in their mouths and lungs, according to a study of more than 700 people published in the European Respiratory Journal. The research also shows that these differences in the lung microbiome are linked to respiratory symptoms, as well as the cognitive and digestive problems known to occur in long COVID.
Source: Very severe long COVID linked to differences in lung and mouth microbiomes