The human body is inhabited by a diverse microbial community that has come to be known as our commensal microbiota. Recent research has provided major advances in our understanding of how our commensal microbiota affects our health. Among the various kinds of infections regularly contracted by us humans, viral infections constitute one of the most serious public health problems in the world to date. Because of the recent pandemic that continues to wreak havoc, it’s important to think closely about the role that our microbiome plays in either worsening or protecting us from viral infections, especially the SARS-CoV-2 virus, otherwise known as COVID-19. 

 

During the infection process, viruses may have substantial and intimate interactions with the commensal microbiota. A large body of evidence suggests that the commensal microbiota regulates and is in turn regulated by invading viruses through a diverse array of mechanisms, thereby enhancing or inhibiting viral infections. Since most of us in our WHEELHOUSE community have worked diligently to improve our microbial balance as part of our healing, it’s also important to note that the integrity of our commensal microbiota can also be disturbed by invading viruses, causing dysbiosis, making it easier for further viral infectivity.

 

So, how do our bacteria actually stop or decrease the severity of viral infection? Most current information is based upon the interaction of our bacteria with another enveloped virus, influenza. Both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are enveloped viruses that rely on their surface proteins to unlock entry into our cells. From research released in 2019, we now know that our commensal bacteria have both direct inhibiting effects as well as more diffuse effects on enveloped viral infections. Here are just three of a multitude of beneficial effects:

 

Our bacteria stop inhaled viruses from entering our cells.

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Several commensal bacteria including staphylococcus epidermidis live inside our nasal cavity. It has been shown that this particular little bug plays a big role in reducing viral infections by directly binding to enveloped viruses and inhibiting their binding to our epidermis. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal, not only in the sinuses but on our skin at large where it serves to protect us from a variety of invading pathogens, including COVID-19 like viruses. 

 

Our bacteria protect us by sacrificing their lives.

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When our bacteria pass on, they leave behind their waxy shells made from a substance called lipopolysaccharide or LPS for short. It has been shown that LPS from our commensal bacteria actually inhibits viral replication in several ways, including binding directly to the surface of the virus. Although COVID-19 is not passed on from cooked or packaged food, there is still a risk of contracting the infection by eating food that has been exposed to an infected individual prior to consumption. The nature of this particular infection is also such that those without active symptoms may still spread the infection so the best way to protect ourselves is to preserve a robust and balanced microbiome - both on our skin as well as in our GI tracts. 

 

Our bacteria prevent excess inflammation.

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One of the most dangerous consequences of COVID-19 infection is severe lung inflammation called ARDS and/or bacterial pneumonia. Both ARDS as well as secondary pneumonia lead to a rapid decrease in the lung’s capacity to provide oxygen and so increase the risk of the infection becoming fatal. Several recent studies show that a healthy balanced GI microbial community enhances a population of T cells (our white blood cells) that act to regulate immune responses, therefore controlling inflammation. In several different models it has been shown that as dysbiosis deepens, the risk of respiratory viral infections increases and the level of inflammation in response is much greater, leading to increased risk of fatality. 

 

So what do we suggest at WHEELHOUSE when it comes to protecting yourself from viral infection? Well, beyond all the basics like good hygiene, social distancing and immune support (something that is quite individual and should be discussed with your practitioner), caring for your commensal bacteria is a total must. We recommend specialized testing of gut flora along with immune markers such as secretory IgA which allows us to assess a total picture of microbiome community health as well as immune capacity to respond to inhaled and ingested pathogens. For those with higher risks of lung inflammation such as smokers and those with type A blood, we also recommend genetic testing to assess risks for stroke and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). 

 

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References and Resources:

1. Li N, Ma WT, Pang M, Fan QL, Hua JL. The Commensal Microbiota and Viral Infection: A Comprehensive Review. Front Immunol. 2019 Jul 4;10:1551. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01551. PMID: 31333675; PMCID: PMC6620863.

2. Chen HW, Liu PF, Liu YT, Kuo S, Zhang XQ, Schooley RT, Rohde H, Gallo RL, Huang CM. Nasal commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis counteracts influenza virus. Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 16;6:27870. doi: 10.1038/srep27870. PMID: 27306590; PMCID: PMC4910069.

3. Bandoro C, Runstadler JA. Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Destabilizes Influenza Viruses. mSphere. 2017 Oct 11;2(5):e00267-17. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00267-17. PMID: 29034326; PMCID: PMC5636225.

4. Grayson MH, Camarda LE, Hussain SA, Zemple SJ, Hayward M, Lam V, Hunter DA, Santoro JL, Rohlfing M, Cheung DS, Salzman NH. Intestinal Microbiota Disruption Reduces Regulatory T Cells and Increases Respiratory Viral Infection Mortality Through Increased IFNγ Production. Front Immunol. 2018 Jul 10;9:1587. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01587. PMID: 30042764; PMCID: PMC6048222.