Gut Microbiota, ” Spark and Flame of COVID-19″

The project “Gut Microbiota,” Spark and Flame of COVID-19 “, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), within the scope of RESEARCH4COVID19 with 30 thousand euros, will be the first to characterize the intestinal microbiota of patients with COVID-19.

Led by Conceição Calhau, a researcher at CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research/NOVA Medical School-Faculty of Medical Sciences, the study will include participants who 18 or older, who will be recruited in various health units in the country, namely the University Hospital Center of São João (UHCSJ), the São Francisco Xavier Hospital, the West Lisbon Hospital Center, the Cuf Infante Santo Hospital, the Curry Cabral Hospital, the São Sebastião Hospital, and the Santa Maria da Feira Hospital, the CUF Academia, and the Germano de Sousa Laboratory Medicine Center.

The risk groups for COVID-19 are cardiovascular patients, with hypertension, diabetes, and the elderly; however, the reason for this is not yet known.

The intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in health, particularly in the immune system. Its composition can affect vulnerability and disease outcomes.

Microbial “fingerprints” among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 will have a predictive role in the severity of the disease, acting as a target to approach the infection.

FCT

30,000.00 €

52,897.70 €

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Conceição Calhau (coordinator), Ana Faria, Cláudia Marques, Diana Teixeira, Diogo Pestana, Marta Silvestre, Cristina Granja (FMUP)