SARS-CoV-2 as a Trigger in the Development of Tourette’s-Like Symptoms: A Case Report

Abstract Background: Reports have been surfacing surrounding CNS-associated symptoms in individuals affected by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder with usual onset in childhood. Gut microbiota can affect central physiology and function via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The authors of this case report describe Tourette’s-like symptoms in a patient resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection disrupting gut microbiota. Case Presentation: This case involves a 16-year-old female that developed acute onset Tourette’s-like symptoms along with neuropsychiatric symptoms after exposure to and infection from SARS-CoV-2. The patient had negative nasopharyngeal (NP) real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 on five occasions from August of 2020 through June of 2021. The patient’s symptoms continued to worsen over the next six months until next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed SARS-CoV-2 in her stool. Repair of the gastrointestinal microbiota, treatment with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agents, as well as alterations in her surroundings resulted in dramatic improvement in the microbiome and a significant reduction of symptoms.Discussion: The use of RT-PCR testing to determine the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 may be inadequate and inaccurate for individuals that have been exposed to the virus. In addition, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection to the GI tract may cause significant havoc in the gut microbiota which may lead to disruption of the blood brain barrier, disruption to the gut- microbiome-brain axis, and neurological symptoms. Additional testing, eradication of infectious agents, as well as restoration of the gut microbiome are needed to effectively manage and treat this condition.

Download Full-text

SARS-CoV-2 as a Trigger in the Development of Tourette’s-Like Symptoms: A Case Report

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1079406/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sabine Hazan ◽

Sheldon Jordan

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Next Generation Sequencing ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dramatic Improvement ◽

Next Generation ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Gastrointestinal Microbiota ◽

Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽

The Impact ◽

Generation Sequencing

Abstract Background: Reports have been surfacing surrounding CNS-associated symptoms in individuals affected by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Tourette syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder with usual onset in childhood. Gut microbiota can affect central physiology and function via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The authors of this case report describe Tourette’s-like symptoms in a patient resulting from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection disrupting gut microbiota. Case Presentation: This case involves a 16-year-old female that developed acute onset Tourette’s-like symptoms along with neuropsychiatric symptoms after exposure to and infection from SARS-CoV-2. The patient had negative nasopharyngeal (NP) real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) tests for SARS-CoV-2 on five occasions from August of 2020 through June of 2021. The patient’s symptoms continued to worsen over the next six months until next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed SARS-CoV-2 in her stool. Her treatment was adjusted as NGS revealed SARS-CoV-2 in her stool. Repair of the gastrointestinal microbiota, treatment with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agents, as well as alterations in her surroundings resulted in dramatic improvement in the microbiome and a significant reduction of symptoms.Discussion: The use of (RT-PCR) testing to determine the presence or absence of SARS-CoV-2 may be inadequate and inaccurate for individuals that have been exposed to the virus. In addition, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the GI tract may cause significant havoc in the gut microbiota. Additional testing, eradication of infectious agents, as well as restoration of the gut microbiome are needed to effectively manage and treat this condition. The patient’s symptoms worsened over the next six months until next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed SARS-CoV-2 in her stool and her treatment was adjusted. Treatment with nutraceuticals and alterations in her surroundings was followed by a more normal microbiome and a dramatic reduction in symptoms.

Download Full-text

The gut-microbiota-brain axis in autism: what Drosophila models can offer?

Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

10.1186/s11689-021-09378-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Safa Salim ◽

Ayesha Banu ◽

Amira Alwa ◽

Swetha B. M. Gowda ◽

Farhan Mohammad

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Neurological Disorders ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Brain Disorders ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

The Impact ◽

Insight Into ◽

Drosophila Models

AbstractThe idea that alterations in gut-microbiome-brain axis (GUMBA)-mediated communication play a crucial role in human brain disorders like autism remains a topic of intensive research in various labs. Gastrointestinal issues are a common comorbidity in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although gut microbiome and microbial metabolites have been implicated in the etiology of ASD, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this review, we have summarized recent findings in human and animal models highlighting the role of the gut-brain axis in ASD. We have discussed genetic and neurobehavioral characteristics of Drosophila as an animal model to study the role of GUMBA in ASD. The utility of Drosophila fruit flies as an amenable genetic tool, combined with axenic and gnotobiotic approaches, and availability of transgenic flies may reveal mechanistic insight into gut-microbiota-brain interactions and the impact of its alteration on behaviors relevant to neurological disorders like ASD.

Download Full-text

Role of the gut microbiota in airway immunity and host defense against respiratory infections

Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1515/hsz-2021-0281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Maike Willers ◽

Dorothee Viemann

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Host Defense ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Viral Pathogens ◽

Commensal Microbiota ◽

Enhanced Resistance ◽

The Impact

Abstract Colonization of the intestine with commensal bacteria is known to play a major role in the maintenance of human health. An altered gut microbiome is associated with various ensuing diseases including respiratory diseases. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the impact of the gut microbiota on airway immunity with a focus on consequences for the host defense against respiratory infections. Specific gut commensal microbiota compositions and functions are depicted that mediate protection against respiratory infections with bacterial and viral pathogens. Lastly, we highlight factors that have imprinting effects on the establishment of the gut microbiota early in life and are potentially relevant in the context of respiratory infections. Deepening our understanding of these relationships will allow to exploit the knowledge on how gut microbiome maturation needs to be modulated to ensure lifelong enhanced resistance towards respiratory infections.

Download Full-text

Altered diversity and composition of gut microbiota in Wilson's disease

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-78988-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiangsheng Cai ◽

Lin Deng ◽

Xiaogui Ma ◽

Yusheng Guo ◽

Zhiting Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Wilson’S Disease ◽

Wilson's Disease ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Lower Abundance ◽

Rrna Sequencing ◽

Healthy Control ◽

The Impact ◽

Bacterial Groups

AbstractWilson’s disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of chronic copper toxicosis with high mortality and disability. Recent evidence suggests a correlation between dysbiosis in gut microbiome and multiple diseases such as genetic and metabolic disease. However, the impact of intestinal microbiota polymorphism in WD have not been fully elaborated and need to be explore for seeking some microbiota benefit for WD patients. In this study, the 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on fecal samples from 14 patients with WD and was compared to the results from 16 healthy individuals. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiome in the WD group were significantly lower than those in healthy individuals. The WD group presented unique richness of Gemellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae and Spirochaetaceae at family level, which were hardly detected in healthy controls. The WD group had a markedly lower abundance of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia, and a higher abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Fusobacteria than that in healthy individuals. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in the WD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control. In addition, the functional profile of the gut microbiome from WD patients showed a lower abundance of bacterial groups involved in the host immune and metabolism associated systems pathways such as transcription factors and ABC-type transporters, compared to healthy individuals. These results implied dysbiosis of gut microbiota may be influenced by the host metabolic disorders of WD, which may provide a new understanding of the pathogenesis and new possible therapeutic targets for WD.

Download Full-text

Gut Microbiome Modulation Based on Probiotic Application for Anti-Obesity: A Review on Efficacy and Validation

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms7100456 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 456 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kaliyan Barathikannan ◽

Ramachandran Chelliah ◽

Momna Rubab ◽

Eric Banan-Mwine Daliri ◽

Fazle Elahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Genetic Profile ◽

Fecal Transplantation ◽

Intestinal Microbes ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Future Direction ◽

The Impact

The growing prevalence of obesity has become an important problem worldwide as obesity has several health risks. Notably, factors such as excessive food consumption, a sedentary way of life, high sugar consumption, a fat-rich diet, and a certain genetic profile may lead to obesity. The present review brings together recent advances regarding the significance of interventions involving intestinal gut bacteria and host metabolic phenotypes. We assess important biological molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of gut microbiota on hosts including bile salt metabolism, short-chain fatty acids, and metabolic endotoxemia. Some previous studies have shown a link between microbiota and obesity, and associated disease reports have been documented. Thus, this review focuses on obesity and gut microbiota interactions and further develops the mechanism of the gut microbiome approach related to human obesity. Specifically, we highlight several alternative diet treatments including dietary changes and supplementation with probiotics. The future direction or comparative significance of fecal transplantation, synbiotics, and metabolomics as an approach to the modulation of intestinal microbes is also discussed.

Download Full-text

Respiratory Viral Infection Alters the Gut Microbiota by Inducing Inappetence

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.03236-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Helen T. Groves ◽

Sophie L. Higham ◽

Miriam F. Moffatt ◽

Michael J. Cox ◽

John S. Tregoning

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Viral Infection ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Lung Infection ◽

Significant Shift ◽

Rsv Infection ◽

Respiratory Viral Infections ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Respiratory viral infections are extremely common, but their impacts on the composition and function of the gut microbiota are poorly understood. We previously observed a significant change in the gut microbiota after viral lung infection. Here, we show that weight loss during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza virus infection was due to decreased food consumption, and that the fasting of mice altered gut microbiota composition independently of infection. While the acute phase tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) response drove early weight loss and inappetence during RSV infection, this was not sufficient to induce changes in the gut microbiota. However, the depletion of CD8+ cells increased food intake and prevented weight loss, resulting in a reversal of the gut microbiota changes normally observed during RSV infection. Viral infection also led to changes in the fecal gut metabolome, with a significant shift in lipid metabolism. Sphingolipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) valerate were all increased in abundance in the fecal metabolome following RSV infection. Whether this and the impact of infection-induced anorexia on the gut microbiota are part of a protective anti-inflammatory response during respiratory viral infections remains to be determined. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiota has an important role in health and disease: gut bacteria can generate metabolites that alter the function of immune cells systemically. Understanding the factors that can lead to changes in the gut microbiome may help to inform therapeutic interventions. This is the first study to systematically dissect the pathway of events from viral lung infection to changes in gut microbiota. We show that the cellular immune response to viral lung infection induces inappetence, which in turn alters the gut microbiome and metabolome. Strikingly, there was an increase in lipids that have been associated with the resolution of disease. This opens up new paths of investigation: first, what is the (presumably secreted) factor made by the T cells that can induce inappetence? Second, is inappetence an adaptation that accelerates recovery from infection, and if so, does the microbiome play a role in this?

Download Full-text

An Attenuated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strain and Galacto-Oligosaccharides Accelerate Clearance of Salmonella Infections in Poultry through Modifications to the Gut Microbiome

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.02526-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 84 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

M. Andrea Azcarate-Peril ◽

Natasha Butz ◽

Maria Belen Cadenas ◽

Matthew Koci ◽

Anne Ballou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

The United States ◽

Wild Type ◽

Content Type ◽

Salmonella Infections ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Salmonella is estimated to cause one million foodborne illnesses in the United States every year. Salmonella -contaminated poultry products are one of the major sources of salmonellosis. Given the critical role of the gut microbiota in Salmonella transmission, a manipulation of the chicken intestinal microenvironment could prevent animal colonization by the pathogen. In Salmonella , the global regulator gene fnr ( f umarate n itrate r eduction) regulates anaerobic metabolism and is essential for adapting to the gut environment. This study tested the hypothesis that an attenuated Fnr mutant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (attST) or prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) could improve resistance to wild-type Salmonella via modifications to the structure of the chicken gut microbiome. Intestinal samples from a total of 273 animals were collected weekly for 9 weeks to evaluate the impact of attST or prebiotic supplementation on microbial species of the cecum, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. We next analyzed changes to the gut microbiome induced by challenging the animals with a wild-type Salmonella serovar 4,[5],12:r:− (Nal r ) strain and determined the clearance rate of the virulent strain in the treated and control groups. Both GOS and the attenuated Salmonella strain modified the gut microbiome but elicited alterations of different taxonomic groups. The attST produced significant increases of Alistipes and undefined Lactobacillus , while GOS increased Christensenellaceae and Lactobacillus reuteri . The microbiome structural changes induced by both treatments resulted in a faster clearance after a Salmonella challenge. IMPORTANCE With an average annual incidence of 13.1 cases/100,000 individuals, salmonellosis has been deemed a nationally notifiable condition in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier studies demonstrated that Salmonella is transmitted by a subset of animals (supershedders). The supershedder phenotype can be induced by antibiotics, ascertaining an essential role for the gut microbiota in Salmonella transmission. Consequently, modulation of the gut microbiota and modification of the intestinal microenvironment could assist in preventing animal colonization by the pathogen. Our study demonstrated that a manipulation of the chicken gut microbiota by the administration of an attenuated Salmonella strain or prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) can promote resistance to Salmonella colonization via increases of beneficial microorganisms that translate into a less hospitable gut microenvironment.

Download Full-text

Metagenomic characterization of the effect of feed additives on the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistome of feedlot cattle

10.1101/153536 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Milton Thomas ◽

Megan Webb ◽

Sudeep Ghimire ◽

Amanda Blair ◽

Kenneth Olson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Gastrointestinal Microbiota ◽

Finishing Diets ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

Metagenome Sequencing ◽

The Impact

AbstractIn North America, antibiotic feed additives such as monensin and tylosin are added to the finishing diets of feedlot cattle to counter the ill-effects of feeding diets with rapidly digestible carbohydrates. While these feed additives have been proven to improve feed efficiency, and reduce liver abscess incidence, how these products impact the gastrointestinal microbiota is not completely understood. Furthermore, there are concerns that antibiotic feed additives may expand the antibiotic resistome of feedlot cattle by enriching antimicrobial resistance genes in pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria in the gut microbiota. In this study, we analyzed the impact of providing antibiotic feed additives to feedlot cattle using metagenome sequencing of treated and untreated animals. Our results indicate that use of antibiotic feed additives does not produce discernable changes at the phylum level however treated cattle had reduced the abundance of gram-positive bacteria at the genus level. The abundance of Ruminococcus, Erysipelotrichaceae and Lachanospira in the gut of treated steers was reduced. This may impact the ability of these animals to exclude pathogens from the gut. However, our results did not show any correlation between the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in the gut microbiota and the administration of antibiotic feed additives.

Download Full-text

SARS-CoV-2-Indigenous Microbiota Nexus: Does Gut Microbiota Contribute to Inflammation and Disease Severity in COVID-19?

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2021.590874 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Indranil Chattopadhyay ◽

Esaki M. Shankar

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Innate Immune Responses ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Promising Therapeutic Approach ◽

Indigenous Microbiota ◽

The Impact ◽

Microbiome Profiling

Gut microbiome alterations may play a paramount role in determining the clinical outcome of clinical COVID-19 with underlying comorbid conditions like T2D, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, etc. Research is warranted to manipulate the profile of gut microbiota in COVID-19 by employing combinatorial approaches such as the use of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics. Prediction of gut microbiome alterations in SARS-CoV-2 infection may likely permit the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Novel and targeted interventions by manipulating gut microbiota indeed represent a promising therapeutic approach against COVID-19 immunopathogenesis and associated co-morbidities. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on host innate immune responses associated with gut microbiome profiling is likely to contribute to the development of key strategies for application and has seldom been attempted, especially in the context of symptomatic as well as asymptomatic COVID-19 disease.

Download Full-text

It’s the fiber, not the fat: Significant effects of dietary challenge on the gut microbiome

10.1101/716944 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kathleen E. Morrison ◽

Eldin Jašarević ◽

Christopher D. Howard ◽

Tracy L. Bale

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Fat ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Chow Diet ◽

Soluble Fiber ◽

High Fat ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundDietary effects on the gut microbiome has been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of behavioral dysregulation, inflammatory disorders, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Often overlooked is that experimental diets vary significantly in the proportion and source of dietary fiber. Commonly, treatment comparisons are made between animals that are fed refined diets that lack soluble fiber and animals fed vivarium-provided chow diet that contain a rich source of soluble fiber. Despite the well-established role of soluble fiber on metabolism, immunity, and behavior via the gut microbiome, the extent to which measured outcomes may be driven by differences in dietary fiber is unclear. Further, the significant impact of sex and age in response to dietary challenge is likely important and should also be considered.ResultsWe compared the impact of transitioning young and aged male and female mice from a chow diet to a refined low soluble fiber diet on body weight and gut microbiota. Then, to determine the contribution of dietary fat, we examined the impact of transitioning a subset of animals from refined low fat to refined high fat diet. Serial tracking of body weights revealed that consumption of low fat or high fat refined diet increased body weight in young and aged adult male mice. Young adult females showed resistance to body weight gain, while high fat diet-fed aged females had significant body weight gain. Transition from a chow diet to low soluble fiber refined diet accounted for most of the variance in community structure and composition across all groups. This dietary transition was characterized by a loss of taxa within the phylum Bacteroidetes and a concurrent bloom of Clostridia and Proteobacteria in a sex- and age-specific manner. Most notably, no changes to gut microbiota community structure and composition were observed between mice consuming either low- or high-fat diet, suggesting that transition to the refined diet that lacks soluble fiber is the primary driver of gut microbiota alterations, with limited additional impact of dietary fat on gut microbiota.ConclusionCollectively, our results show that the choice of control diet has a significant impact on outcomes and interpretation related to body weight and gut microbiota. These data also have broad implications for rodent studies that draw comparisons between refined high fat diets and chow diets to examine dietary fat effects on metabolic, immune, behavioral, and neurobiological outcomes.

Download Full-text