CHANGES IN THE CARDIAC MICROBIOME FOLLOWING SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated significant and persistent effects on the cardiovascular system. While acute viral myocarditis, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis have been well documented, emerging evidence indicates that alterations in the gut and cardiac microbiome play a crucial role in the development of long-term cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19.SARS-CoV-2 infection induces profound dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota, characterized by reduced microbial diversity, depletion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and enrichment of pro-inflammatory pathobionts. This dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability, facilitating the translocation of microbial metabolites such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into systemic circulation.
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