What is this study trying to find out about COVID-19?

This study aims to understand how changes in gut bacteria caused by COVID-19 relate to long COVID symptoms. Researchers want to learn how gut imbalances affect the immune system and gut barrier in people with and without long COVID. The University of Chicago is leading this research to help develop new treatments for post-viral conditions.

Who may be eligible for this COVID-19 clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 80 who had a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the last 3 years may be eligible. Participants can be any sex and may or may not have long COVID symptoms. People currently pregnant, diagnosed with cancer, or on certain immune medications are excluded. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this COVID-19 clinical trial?

Study-related care, including sample collection and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered by the study.

Actively Recruiting

Age: 18Years - 80Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID06825819

Determining the Impact of Microbial Dysbiosis on Immune and Barrier Dysfunction in Long COVID

Led by University of Chicago · Updated on 2026-03-02

400

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how microbial imbalances in the gut, caused by COVID-19, relate to long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 PASC. This condition includes symptoms like fatigue, heart palpitations, cognitive issues, and arthritis lasting more than two to six months after infection. The study aims to better understand how these gut changes affect symptom severity, immune function, and gut barrier health in people with and without long COVID. This observational study will collect matched stool and blood samples from 400 adults who had confirmed COVID-19 infections in the past three years. Half of the participants will have long COVID symptoms, and half will not. Researchers will analyze these biospecimens to identify microbial metabolites linked to gut dysbiosis and use lab models to explore interactions between immune cells and gut lining cells. Participants will provide samples and health information at baseline and during follow-up. The study will measure bacterial diversity, overgrowth of certain gut bacteria, and production of key metabolites. Researchers will also gather intestinal biopsy samples from some participants undergoing routine endoscopy. The trial will monitor these factors over time to understand long COVIDs biological impact, with enrollment open until early 2029.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Dysbiosis & Long COVID

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years - 80Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Age between 18 and 80 years
Any sex and race
Confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infection within the past 3 years by PCR or antigen test
Presence or absence of long COVID symptoms as defined by SBQ-LCTM
May or may not be undergoing routine endoscopy at UCM

You will not qualify if you...

Age younger than 18 or older than 80 years
Last COVID-19 infection more than 3 years ago
Positive COVID-19 test within the last 3 months
Current cancer diagnosis
Currently pregnant (eligible only for survey, blood, and stool collection)
Currently taking biologic immunomodulatory medications
Official diagnosis of irritable bowel disease or other chronic gastrointestinal disorder
Vulnerable or special populations including UCMC and UChicago employees, staff, and faculty

Research Team

Lavanya Visvabharathy, Ph.D

Leila Yazdanbakhsh, MSCI

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