# Insights into the Naso-Oropharyngeal Bacterial Composition in Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Cases

## TL;DR

This study explores the bacterial makeup of the nose and throat in people suspected of having SARS-CoV-2, finding some bacteria linked to infection status.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific bacterial genera associated with SARS-CoV-2 detection and hospitalization in Panama.

## Key findings

- No significant differences in bacterial diversity between SARS-CoV-2 detected and non-detected groups.
- Veillonella and Prevotella were enriched in detected and hospitalized patients.
- Corynebacterium decreased in detected SARS-CoV-2 patients compared to non-detected ones.

## Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While research on COVID-19 has mainly focused on its epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment, studies on the naso-oropharyngeal microbiota have emerged in the last few years as an overlooked area of research. Here, we analyzed the bacterial community composition of the naso-oropharynx in 50 suspected SARS-CoV-2 cases (43 detected, 7 not detected) from Veraguas province (Panama) distributed across five age categories. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (p < 0.05) in bacterial alpha and beta diversities between the groups categorized by SARS-CoV-2 test results, age, or patient status. The genera Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Tepidiphilus were the most abundant in both detected and not-detected SARS-CoV-2 group. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) for biomarker exploration indicated that Veillonella and Prevotella were enriched in detected and hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 relative to non-detected patients, while Thermoanaerobacterium and Haemophilus were enriched in non-detected patients with SARS-CoV-2. The results also indicated that the genus Corynebacterium was found to decrease in patients with detected SARS-CoV-2 relative to those with non-detected SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the naso-oropharyngeal microbiota provides insights into the diversity, composition, and resilience of the microbial community in patients with SARS-CoV-2.