8 research outputs found
The gut microbiota as an early predictor of COVID-19 severity
Full text linkSeveral studies reported alterations of the human gut microbiota (GM) during COVID-19. To evaluate the potential role of the GM as an early predictor of COVID-19 at disease onset, we analyzed gut microbial samples of 315 COVID-19 patients that differed in disease severity. We observed significant variations in microbial diversity and composition associated with increasing disease severity, as the reduction of short-chain fatty acid producers such as Faecalibacterium and Ruminococcus, and the growth of pathobionts as Anaerococcus and Campylobacter. Notably, we developed a multi-class machine-learning classifier, specifically a convolutional neural network, which achieved an 81.5% accuracy rate in predicting COVID-19 severity based on GM composition at disease onset. This achievement highlights its potential as a valuable early biomarker during the first week of infection. These findings offer promising insights into the intricate relationship between GM and COVID-19, providing a potential tool for optimizing patient triage and streamlining healthcare during the pandemic.IMPORTANCEEfficient patient triage for COVID-19 is vital to manage healthcare resources effectively. This study underscores the potential of gut microbiota (GM) composition as an early biomarker for COVID-19 severity. By analyzing GM samples from 315 patients, significant correlations between microbial diversity and disease severity were observed. Notably, a convolutional neural network classifier was developed, achieving an 81.5% accuracy in predicting disease severity based on GM composition at disease onset. These findings suggest that GM profiling could enhance early triage processes, offering a novel approach to optimizing patient management during the pandemic.Efficient patient triage for COVID-19 is vital to manage healthcare resources effectively. This study underscores the potential of gut microbiota (GM) composition as an early biomarker for COVID-19 severity. By analyzing GM samples from 315 patients, significant correlations between microbial diversity and disease severity were observed. Notably, a convolutional neural network classifier was developed, achieving an 81.5% accuracy in predicting disease severity based on GM composition at disease onset. These findings suggest that GM profiling could enhance early triage processes, offering a novel approach to optimizing patient management during the pandemic
Temporal Dynamics and (Para)Clinical Factors Associated With (Long) Viral RNA Shedding in COVID-19 Nonhospitalized Individuals - The COVID-HOME Study
Full text linkUnderstanding temporal patterns and determinants of RNA shedding is important to comprehend SARS-CoV-2 transmission and improve biosafety/isolation guidelines. Nonhospitalized SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals and household members were enrolled between March 2020 and June 2021 and followed prospectively ≥ 3 weeks during acute disease and at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-months to obtain (para)clinical data and biospecimens. Flow cytometry-based surrogate assay (FlowSA) detected viable SARS-CoV-2. Determinants of long RNA shedding ( ≥ 21 days) were investigated. RNA shedding median duration was 14 days (IQR 8.0-21.0) for nasopharyngeal/throat (NPT) and 7 days (IQR 1.0-27.0) for feces- but 20 days (IQR 7.0-27.8) when excluding individuals positive at a single timepoint (25.2%). Among 17 NPT long shedders with FlowSA results, 12 (70.6%) demonstrated viable virus. NPT long shedding was independently positively associated with endocrine disease and chills. Fecal long shedding was independently inversely associated with age, female sex, and fatigue, but positively with vomiting. No associations with long-term COVID-19-related complaints were observed. Finally, fecal long shedders demonstrated higher anti-spike(S1) IgG levels over 18-month follow-up than non-long shedders (p = 0.006). (Long) SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in NPT and feces associates with age and acute-but not prolonged-symptoms. The roles of prolonged infectious shedding and fecal shedding in transmission and immunity remain unclear.</p
The COVID HOME study research protocol: Prospective cohort study of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Guidelines on COVID-19 management are developed as we learn from this pandemic. However, most research has been done on hospitalised patients and the impact of the disease on non-hospitalised and their role in transmission are not yet well understood. The COVID HOME study conducts research among COVID-19 patients and their family members who were not hospitalised during acute disease, to guide patient care and inform public health guidelines for infection prevention and control in the community and household. METHODS: An ongoing prospective longitudinal observational study of COVID-19 outpatients was established in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals of all ages that did not merit hospitalisation, and their household (HH) members, were enrolled after written informed consent. Enrolled participants were visited at home within 48 hours after initial diagnosis, and then weekly on days 7, 14 and 21 to obtain clinical data, a blood sample for biochemical parameters/cytokines and serological determination; and a nasopharyngeal/throat swab plus urine, stool and sperm or vaginal secretion (if consenting) to test for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (viral shedding) and for viral culturing. Weekly nasopharyngeal/throat swabs and stool samples, plus a blood sample on days 0 and 21 were also taken from HH members to determine whether and when they became infected. All participants were invited to continue follow-up at 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-infection to assess long-term sequelae and immunological status
Case report forms (CRF) applied to study participants.
No full textCRF-01 and CRF-03 are applied to all participants while CRF-10a is answered by non-infected individuals. All other CRFs are applied to SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.</p
Sampling flowchart for positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 participants.
No full textNPT= nasopharyngeal/throat.</p
Acute and long-term follow-up timeline of participants enrolled in the COVID HOME study.
No full textAcute and long-term follow-up timeline of participants enrolled in the COVID HOME study.</p
