Probiotics mediated control and immunomodulation of SARS-CoV-2 associated pathological conditions

Kumari, P. S.; Viswapriya, V.; Rajakumari, M. L.; Murugan, S.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a fast-evolving respiratory infection-causing virus. The simple structure of the virus enables it to spread through the air and easy lodging into the respiratory tract of the host. The virus-specific spike protein rendering antigenicity and pathogenicity in the host. The spike protein is highly evolving as an immunogenic form through mutation. Variants of the virus are much more pathogenic that induce inflammation during the early stages of infection and cytokine storm in later stages of infection, which cause cytolysis of own host cells. Drugs used are targeted towards spike protein and virus-specific components and several drugs are under trial. A drug that needs to control the host immune response and maintain homeostasis in the host is required. Anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids recommended for immunostimulatory and as immunosuppressors according to the prevailing condition of infection. Several phytomedicines evaluated for their efficiency to control the pandemic. Another natural system to control viruses is the probiotic organisms, proven for their ability to competitively inhibit entry and establishment of viral pathogens in the host. Administration of probiotics during the primary stage of viral infection improves the host immunity and prevents the increase in viral load and in later stages, regulates the host immunity when host inununoregulation disrupted by viral antigen. This helps in the immunomodulation of the host immune system on the whole. The present review evaluates the immunomodulatory effect of probiotics to control SARS-CoV-2.