The Possible Role of Probiotics in Combating COVID-19

Guntur Darmawan (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
Marshell Tendean (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
Ade Dharmawan (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
William William (Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
Henny Tannady Tan (Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
Tamara Atmogo (Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)
Wani Devita Gunardi (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Krida Wacana Christian University, Jakarta)

The Indonesian Journal of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Endoscopy
Vol 21, No 3 (2020): VOLUME 21, NUMBER 3, December 2020

Since first reported in Wuhan in the end of 2019, COVID-19 infection has spread globally. However, our battle against COVID-19 is still limited with treatment modalities, yet giving a big challenge for researchers to explore promising treatment candidate. Probiotics, based on previous studies of its role in immune system and respiratory tract infection, seem to be potential candidate. Probiotics work in a distinct way through connectivity between gut and the lung, since both have expression of angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) of which highly bound by COVID-19. At present, no guidelines formally include probiotics as part of COVID-19 treatment. Hence, this study aimed to review the link of probiotics and immune system and its potential role as part of COVID-19 treatment.