Provid-19 is the name of the ongoing clinical trial that aims to show the potential benefits of some probiotics against Covid-19.
Covid-19, a worldwide virus
We have been experiencing a global pandemic for a year, caused by Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2.
The virus continues to spread and infect many people, with varying degrees of severity.
Several vaccines have been available for several months now. However, vaccination is a long process that will take long time before the entire population has access to it. Research on drugs is also underway, but no conclusive results are yet to be reported. This is why new strategies should be considered, and probiotics would have their place as explained in this post.
An ongoing clinical trial to highlight the benefits of probiotics on Covid-19
Provid-19 is a clinical study to test the effects of some probiotics on the virus. It results of a collaboration between the Universities of Sherbrooke and Laval and is led by Dr Jean-Charles Pasquier.
The researchers previously analyzed the populations contracting the most severe forms of the virus. The elderly, obese, diabetics or people with cardiovascular diseases seem to be the most affected. What do these different populations have in common? Their altered intestinal microbiota, also called dysbiosis.
They hypothesize that there is an intermediary between the virus and the patient. This intermediary could be the intestinal microbiota.
In this study, the effects of probiotics in symptomatic patients with moderate forms of the disease will be evaluated on:
- the duration and severity of Covid-19-related pathology;
- the evolution of oral and fecal microbiota.
Looking for participants
Currently, the researchers are looking for recruiting patients in Quebec to complete the study at home.
Volunteers must be over 18 years-old, have been tested positive for coronavirus for less than 5 days and have symptoms of the virus. This will be a randomized controlled double-blind trial, with 2 distinct groups: the first one receiving the supplementation (2 strains of probiotics) and the second one receiving a placebo, serving as a control, over a period of 25 days.
Nevertheless, all participants will be followed over 55 days to assess the supplementation effects on what is called “long COVID” characterized by the persistence of symptoms several weeks or months after the first manifestations.
During the course of the study, patients will be asked to take measurements (oxygen, temperature…) as well as saliva and faecal samples on days 0 and 10 of the study at home, using the kit provided with the necessary tools. They will also have to answer various questionnaires.
This is an ongoing study, the data from which will help to improve our knowledge about Covid-19. The results could give indications on the microbiota composition of patients but also, on the benefits of probiotics on this virus. We will keep you informed about results.
LC
References
Picture: Freepik
