Therapeutic implications of SARS-CoV-2 dysregulation of the gut-brain-lung axis

Figure 1 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection induces microbial dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections of intestinal epithelial cells result in a pro-inflammatory immune response leading to infiltration of inflammatory lymphocytes and disrupting the gut barrier. This disruption to homeostasis allows overgrowth of detrimental bacteria resulting in dysbiosis, and the impaired gut barrier facilitates the translocation of bacteria exacerbating the inflammatory response. Additionally, opportunistic fungal infections have been found in some patients, further contributing to the dysfunction. SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.