Even if the global and national situation will eventually reach a new normal, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on other infectious diseases and on the microbiome within the human population may lead to longer-lasting effects.

This project aims to evaluate these consequences with a focus on other infectious agents, including viral and bacterial respiratory (co-)infections, as well as more broadly on the human microbiome of the Luxembourg population. Transfer of microorganisms from the oral and nasal cavities to the gut represents a direct link between the environment-exposed oral cavity and the indirectly exposed gut.

What are the project objectives?

The first objective is to study the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on the development of new infections along with COVID-19 re-infections among the Luxembourg population. We aim more specifically to profile other viral and bacterial respiratory infections including the routine monitoring in wastewater.

The second objective is to follow-up the modification of the gut microbiome in relation to these infections and analyse whether there is a correlation with the different subpopulations of COVID-19 patients (asymptomatic, mild, moderate COVID-19, vaccinated and not vaccinated individuals, Long COVID patients, etc.).

The project will address the following questions:

• Are these infections linked to the longer-term consequences COVID-19?

• Are these infections linked to specific subgroups (adults, children, vaccinated, non-vaccinated, Long COVID patients, etc.)?

• Could we identify predictive markers of Long COVID severity?

• What is the impact of the vaccination of the gut microbiome and the development of other infections?

The third objective will be to

1. analyse the longer-term impact of COVID-19 and other infections on the shedding of SARS -CoV-2 through excreta and its patterns in Luxembourg population, and
2. assess whether the shedding of SARS-CoV-2 by Long COVID patients is influencing the excretion pattern of the population.

What population do we target?

Adults, children, vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals, including patients from the PREDI-COVID and CON-VINCE studies will be included.

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