Influenza: fight against bacterial secondary infections thanks to the microbiota

This French study by the Lille Center for Infection and Immunity (CNRS / INSERM / Institut Pasteur de Lille / Université de LIlle / CHU de Lille and INRAE) reveals for the first time in mice that disturbances in the microbiota intestinal tract caused by the influenza virus promote secondary bacterial infections. The results of their study offer new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of bacterial pneumonia, a major cause of death in elderly or vulnerable people infected with the influenza virus. Here are the main conclusions of the study:

• Influenza alters the production of SCFAs by the gut microbiota,
• The dysbiotic microbiota transfers susceptibility to respiratory bacterial infection,
• Supplementation with acetate restores the killing activity of alveolar macrophages,
• Activation of the SCFA receptor FFAR2 protects against bacterial superinfection.

To know more, you can consult the report of the study.

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