Because of their beneficial effects on strengthening the immune system, prescribing supplements such as prebiotics and probiotics to the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and front-line health care workers may be a cost-effective and important strategy in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus.  

Santa Clara University

The gut microbiota is thought to be  an important regulator of antiviral immune responses.  Studies have shown that modulating the gut microbiota has been able to reduce viral-related enteritis, severe pneumonia cases requiring ventilator assistance, and the spread of influenza in lung epithelial cells.  It is thought that probiotic treatment in COVID-19 patients could promote a healthy gut microecology, which could mitigate GI symptoms, as well as protect the respiratory system from other infections via the bi-directional communication network that is thought to exist between the gut and lung microbiotas.  

Using Probiotics to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

Prebiotics may help treat or prevent COVID-19 by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10. For example, consuming butyrylated high-amylose maize starch increases IL-10, likely because prebiotics strengthen the gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and boost short-chain fatty acid production. Additionally, prebiotics like wheat bran elevate butyrate levels, which lowers inflammation and improves respiratory symptoms in conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Using Prebiotics to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

Prophylactic treatment may be used to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for high-risk individuals. 

Prophylactic Treatment of COVID-19

Dhar, D., & Mohanty, A. (2020). Gut microbiota and Covid-19- possible link and implications. Virus research, 285, 198018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198018


Gut microbiota and Covid-19- possible link and implications.

The introduction of probiotics in healthy elderly adults led to increased activity of natural killer cells and increased mononuclear leukocytes, a type of white blood cells important for fighting off infection. 


How Probiotics Benefit the Immune System 

Convalescent plasma (filtered plasma containing antibodies from recovered individuals) is a treatment option with ongoing research. It can be used as treatment for severely ill patients or as prophylaxis for highly susceptible individuals. While many patients show marked improvement in symptoms, studies involving CP also include other treatment, so the sole effectiveness of CP transfusion is yet unclear. Recovered individuals are encouraged to donate their plasma for research and recovery.

Convalescent Plasma (CP) Transfusion as Prophylactic Treatment for COVID-19

Researchers used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate hydroxychloroquine sulfate as a potential postexposure prophylactic drug for COVID-19. After recruitment in the United States and Canada, 821 asymptomatic individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 were treated within 4 days of contact with infected individuals. Participants were considered highly exposed if they were less than 6 feet away from an individual with confirmed COVID-19 infection for more than 10 minutes without wearing a mask or eye shield. Moderately exposed individuals met all these requirements except they were wearing a mask during exposure. Participants were given either placebo (n=407) or hydroxychloroquine sulfate (n=414) tablets on a dosing regimen. They were monitored for the incidence of COVID-19 infection or related symptoms for 14 days. The results of the study showed that there was no significant difference between new illness and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection in the hydroxychloroquine sulfate and placebo groups (11.8% and 14.3%, respectively).  

Hydroxychloroquine as Prophylactic Treatment for COVID-19

- Development of COVID-19 Vaccines
- Types of Vaccines:
     - Virus Vaccines
     - Nucleic Acid Vaccines
     - Viral Vector Vaccines
     - Subunit Vaccines

Genetic Engineering in Vaccine Development for COVID-19

In a study of 164 healthcare workers in Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, oral administration of the antiviral drug Arbidol was significantly correlated with reduced rates of COVID-19 among participants. 

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