The Role of VSL#3 in the Treatment of Fatigue and Other Symptoms in Long Covid-19 Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study (DELong#3) (preprint)

Long COVID, also known as Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS), is a chronic condition affecting individuals who have recovered from acute COVID-19. It is currently estimated that around 65 million people worldwide suffer from Long COVID. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including fatigue, exertion intolerance, neurocognitive and sensory impairment, sleep disturbance, myalgia/arthralgia, and dysautonomia. Among them fatigue has emerged as a burdensome and pervasive issue, significantly impacting the quality of life and daily functioning of Long COVID patients. Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota has been reported in COVID-19 patients. Dysbiosis persists even after several months of recovery from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on this evidence, we carried out a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of VSL#3, a consortium of probiotic bacterial strains, in reducing fatigue and improving various aspects of patients' well-being in patients with Long COVID syndrome.

From Covid-19 to Psychological Distress: A Systematic Review on Quarantine (preprint)

Background. The novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) and related syndrome (COVID-19) has required a worldwide measure of quarantine with severe consequences for millions of people. Methods. Since psychopathological consequences related to social restrictions have been reported, a systematic review according to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and the PRISMA Statement was performed to quantify the effects of quarantine on mental health of adults. Major databases - Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science- were researched for observational studies with data on mental health indexes related to quarantine or isolation for epidemic infections. Results. Twenty-one independent studies were included for 82,312 subjects. Conclusions. The results showed that at least 20% of people exposed to these conditions reported a psychological distress, with a prevalence of PTSD, depression and, less often, generalized anxiety. Important methodological bias weakens the conclusion of most studies, opening to the need of further research on mental health after quarantine and related risk/buffering factors.