Evaluation of the effectiveness of probiotics on post-COVID-19 conditions.

Google translate: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 138 million people and while vaccination brings great hope, many questions remain (eg impact of variants of the virus). Studies show that patients could present symptoms up to 6 months after the acute phase (fatigue, anxiety ...). Little is known about the causes of long-lasting COVID (LONG-COV) but could be linked to persistence of the virus or inadequate immune response. Our group proposes to study the impact of the intestinal microbiota (intestinal flora) on LONG-VOC. We know that: 1) people who have a severe form of COVID-19 (elderly people, diabetics ...) often have an imbalance of the intestinal microbiota, 2) COVID-19 modifies the microbiota (ex: taking of antibiotics) and 3) probiotics can improve the balance of the microbiota. We hypothesize that LONG-COV is associated with the consequences of gut microbiota imbalance and that it is possible to reduce the occurrence of LONG-COV using probiotics. As the gut microbiota is closely related to the lungs and brain, the action of probiotics could also reach other organs affected by LONG-VOC. We propose a study which compares the taking of probiotics to that of a placebo. We will include 618 men and women aged 18 and over, symptomatic of COVID-19 with a COVID + test for 10 days or less. Hospitalized patients (population at risk of LONG-VOC) may be included if they returned home within 10 days of diagnosis. The signs of the LONG-COV will be studied on the 30th and 90th day (internet or telephone). A group of volunteer patients will take samples (saliva and stool) for virus and microbiota analyzes. If successful, probiotics could be used very quickly across Canada (few side effects, affordable costs).]