The pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19 and host immunity, with emphasis on the dysbiosis of the lung and gut microbiomes and pregnancy

Abstract

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a health and economic crisis. It has also highlighted human relational problems, such as racism and conflicts between nations. Although vaccination programs against the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have started worldwide, the pandemic is ongoing, and people are struggling. The mechanism of disease severity in COVID-19 is multifactorial, complicated, and affected by viral pathogenesis. For example, monocyte dysfunction due to aging and respiratory and gut dysbiosis influence the host's immunity against SARS-CoV-2 including helper T-cell imbalance and viral clearance reduction, leading to accelerated disease progression in older patients or those with underlying diseases. The different immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 also contribute to various radiological findings, including that of acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is associated with high mortality, especially in patients susceptible to disease progression. We aimed to review the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in COVID-19, with emphasis on the altered microbiome in the lung and gut, and the different radiological findings in different patient groups, such as younger adults and pregnant women.