Probiotics and Their Conceivable Part within the Avoidance or Treatment of Covid-19: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Nutrition Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Department of Health Information Technology, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Today, the use of probiotics is very popular among the public, which has recently been tested in COVID-19. The aim of this study was to collect all studies related to the immune effects of probiotics and their possible role in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 achieve a comprehensive result. Method: The article is a systematic review that uses the PRISMA checklist to extract articles. After searching for the keywords probiotics, treatment, prevention, coronavirus, and covid-19 and combining them in databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct) according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 articles were finally reached. Therefore, the articles of the last 10 years (2012-2012) that have been scientifically published in databases were qualitatively analyzed by reviewing both authors. Results: Through the qualitative analysis of most articles, we can mention that the modulation of the gut or lung microbiome is an adjuvant treatment or prevention of COVID-19, due to the immunomodulating properties of probiotics. As well as, based on the results of these articles, probiotics can be effective in reducing the secondary infection caused by Covid-19, modulating the inflammatory response, and reducing the duration of the disease. In addition, the administration of probiotics can be useful as an alternative to ameliorate COVID-19 disease and increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. Conclusion: Based on the evidence, probiotics boost the immune system and could be useful in the prevention or adjunctive treatment of COVID-19. More randomized trials are required to support these findings.

Keywords


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