Gut Microbiota Contributes to Resistance Against Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Immunodeficient Rag^-/- Mice.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes infection-related mortality worldwide. Immunocompromised individuals, including young children, the elderly, and those with immunodeficiency, are especially vulnerable, yet little is known regarding S. pneumoniae-related pathogenesis and protection in immunocompromised hosts. Recently, strong interest has emerged in the gut microbiota's impact on lung diseases, or the "gut-lung axis." However, the mechanisms of gut microbiota protection against gut-distal lung diseases like pneumonia remain unclear. We investigated the role of the gut commensal, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), against pneumococcal pneumonia in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse models. For the latter, we chose the Rag^-/- model, with adaptive immune def

SUBMITTER: Felix KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5932343 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature