Ricerc@Sapienza

Background: Mounting evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 may impact on host microbiota and gut inflammation, infecting intestinal epithelial cells. This possible link and its implications can be investigated by observing the effects of modulation of the microbial flora in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of mortality, the need of ICU hospitalization and the length of hospitalization in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received the best available therapy (BAT) vs. patients treated with BAT and supplemented with oral bacteriotherapy.

Background: Mounting evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 may impact on host microbiota and gut inflammation, infecting intestinal epithelial cells. This possible link and its implications can be investigated by observing the effects of modulation of the microbial flora in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of mortality, the need of ICU hospitalization and the length of hospitalization in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received the best available therapy (BAT) vs. patients treated with BAT and supplemented with oral bacteriotherapy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the first cause of chronic liver disease worldwide; it ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH) and, potentially, cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. NAFLD is also an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality. As it is largely associated with insulin resistance and related disorders, NAFLD has been recently re-named as Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD). At present, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for this condition.

Serotonin (5HT) is produced by gut enterochromaffin (EC) cells and is involved in the pathogenesis of neuromotor disorders that characterize functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. Melatonin is a synthetic product of both the vertebrate pineal gland and the EC cells of gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Both melatonin and serotonin share the same biosynthetic pathway from tryptophan, but their effects are almost antagonistic.

Pregnancy induces a deep modification of women's gut microbiota composition. These changes may influence hormonal and metabolic factors, increasing insulin resistance and leading to hyperglycaemia in susceptible women. Data on 29 women in pregnancy showed insignificant reductions in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio in women with (n.14) and without (n.15) gestational diabetes (GDM).

The gut microbiota is now considered as a symbiotic organ playing an important role in human health and disease
development and has been recently recognized as a modulator of drug metabolism and toxicity. Here, we briefly
discuss new findings describing how the gut microbiota is now considered to be a central player in drug metabolism
and personalized medicine.

Type I interferon (IFN) response initially limits HIV-1 spread and may delay disease progression by stimulating several immune system components. Nonetheless, persistent exposure to type I IFN in the chronic phase of HIV-1 infection is associated with desensitization and/or detrimental immune activation, thereby hindering immune recovery and fostering viral persistence. This review provides a basis for understanding the complexity and function of IFN pleiotropic activity in HIV-1 infection.

Objectives: We investigated the use of bacteriophages as a strategy to decolonize intestinal carriers of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli.