Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is more abundant in the anterior nares than internal parts of the nose, but its relative abundance changes along with age; it is more abundant in adolescents than in children and adults. Various studies have shown that S. epidermidis is the guardian of the nasal cavity because it prevents the colonization and infection of respiratory pathogens (bacteria and viruses) through the secretion of antimicrobial molecules and inhibitors of biofilm formation, occupying the space of the membrane mucosa and through the stimulation of the host’s innate and adaptive immunity. There is a strong relationship between the low number of S. epidermidis in the nasal cavity and the increased risk of serious respiratory infections. The direct application of S. epidermidis into the nasal cavity could be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent respiratory infections and to restore nasal cavity homeostasis. This review shows the mechanisms that S. epidermidis uses to eliminate respiratory pathogens from the nasal cavity, also S. epidermidis is proposed to be used as a probiotic to prevent the development of COVID-19 because S. epidermidis induces the production of interferon type I and III and decreases the expression of the entry receptors of SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) in the nasal epithelial cells.
Highlights
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) cause high morbidity and mortality
RTIs contribute annually to substantial morbidity and mortality around the world that have eventually led to pandemics that have destroyed societies and economies [4,5] such as Spanish influenza, 1918; Asian flu, 1957; Hong Kong flu, 1968; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), 2002; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), 2004; Influenza A (H1N1), 2009; and recently
Little has been studied on the use of S. epidermidis as a probiotic in the respiratory tract, this review aims to demonstrate the importance of S. epidermidis in the control and inhibition of respiratory tract pathogens and to establish a possible role on the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19
Summary
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) cause high morbidity and mortality. Viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus and rhinovirus) and bacteria represent the most common cause of respiratory infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients [1–3]. RTIs contribute annually to substantial morbidity and mortality around the world that have eventually led to pandemics that have destroyed societies and economies [4,5] such as Spanish influenza, 1918; Asian flu, 1957; Hong Kong flu, 1968; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), 2002; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), 2004; Influenza A (H1N1), 2009; and recently. The spectrum of respiratory infections caused by viruses and bacteria is heterogeneous, ranging from mild upper respiratory infections to severe life-threatening lower respiratory infections, including the development of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome [11,12]. Viral infections in early life cause acute illness, and in adulthood viral infections may be associated with the development of wheezing and asthma [13]
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