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This page was initially writen when we are thinking of starting this project, some of information provided here might not hold true, in future we will come back and update facts, figures, sources and derivations.
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In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus able to induce an acute respiratory syndrome was identified in Wuhan, China. This virus, since named severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), quickly spread worldwide, and the syndrome it causes, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organizationon March 11, 2020. About 15-30 % of patients develop COVID-associated ARDS and are admitted to intensive critical care.The severe cases of COVID-19 have been characterised by fulminant and dysfunctional immune response which culminates in the “Cytokine storm Syndrome”
The highest SARS-CoV-2 mortality and morbidity have been reported in older patients and in those with underlying chronic diseases that are associated with inflammation, such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. Interestingly,the same group often suffers from gut dysbiosis.The intestinal microflora plays a critical role in maintaining metabolic and immune homeostasis,notably by educating and modulating the immune system.Gut Dysbiosis might further exacerbate the infection by contributing to dysregulation of immune response,driving inflammation and most importantly contributing to long-term symptoms.
The relation between COVID-19 and Gut Microbiome is complex and bidirectional where each affects each other in turn.Studies have reported that gut composition of COVID-19 patients is distinct and altered compared to controls and it exhibits stratification with levels of pro-inflammatory markers and thereby disease severity.In other words,the patient microbiome configuration affects suspectibility and response to SARS-COV-2 infection.
Manifestly, gut microbiome analysis and modulation would open diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic avenues for COVID-19, chronic covid syndrome and associated comorbidities. At Speaking Callosum, We seek to develop theranostic modalities and risk stratification tool for COVID-19.
Projects
1)Employing Gut modulation as curative therapy for chronic covid syndrome
2) Prognostic test that enables us to predict clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients and identify high-risk individuals who might be susceptible to severe COVID-19
3)Gut Microbiome modulation as treatment of COVID-19 and a modality to preclude cytokine storm
4)Analysis of Lung microbiota based on point of care testing to predict clinical outcome