Could the COVID-19-Driven Increased Use of Ivermectin Lead to Incidents of Imbalanced Gut Microbiota and Dysbiosis?

Leon M T Dicks; Shelly M Deane; Matthew J Grobbelaar

doi:10.1007/s12602-022-09925-5

Could the COVID-19-Driven Increased Use of Ivermectin Lead to Incidents of Imbalanced Gut Microbiota and Dysbiosis?

Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2022 Apr;14(2):217-223. doi: 10.1007/s12602-022-09925-5. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Authors

Leon M T Dicks¹, Shelly M Deane², Matthew J Grobbelaar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa. [email protected].
² Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.

Abstract

The microfilaricidal anthelmintic drug ivermectin (IVM) has been used since 1988 for treatment of parasitic infections in animals and humans. The discovery of IVM's ability to inactivate the eukaryotic importin α/β1 heterodimer (IMPα/β1), used by some viruses to enter the nucleus of susceptible hosts, led to the suggestion of using the drug to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since IVM has antibacterial properties, prolonged use may affect commensal gut microbiota. In this review, we investigate the antimicrobial properties of IVM, possible mode of activity, and the concern that treatment of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 may lead to dysbiosis.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gut microbiota; Ivermectin; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Antiviral Agents
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Dysbiosis / drug therapy
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Ivermectin / pharmacology
Ivermectin / therapeutic use
SARS-CoV-2

Substances

Antiviral Agents
Ivermectin