Is There a Connection Between Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Occurring in COVID-19 Patients and Post-COVID-19 Symptoms?

According to WHO, currently 215 countries/areas/territories report a total of more than 176 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 3.8 million deaths (June 18, 2021). SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, does not impact only the respiratory system but also the various organs in the body. It can directly or indirectly affect the pulmonary system, cardiovascular system (including heart failure), renal system (including kidney failure), hepatic system (including liver failure), gastrointestinal system, nervous system, and/or various systems, leading to shock and multi-organ failure (Zaim et al., 2020). In consequence, comorbidity in these systems leads to a higher risk for a severe disease progression.