The gut microbiota as a modulator of innate immunity during melioidosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Melioidosis, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is an emerging cause of pneumonia-derived sepsis in the tropics. The gut microbiota supports local mucosal immunity and is increasingly recognized as a protective mediator in host defenses against systemic infection. Here, we aimed to characterize the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota during experimental melioidosis.

Methodology/principal findings

C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally with B. pseudomallei and sacrificed at different time points to assess bacterial loads and inflammation. In selected experiments, the gut microbiota was disrupted with broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to inoculation. Fecal bacterial composition was analyzed by means of IS-pro, a 16S-23

SUBMITTER: Lankelma JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5411098 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature