Smallpox vaccination induces a substantial increase in commensal skin bacteria that promote pathology and influence the host response.

ABSTRACT: Interactions between pathogens, host microbiota and the immune system influence many physiological and pathological processes. In the 20th century, widespread dermal vaccination with vaccinia virus (VACV) led to the eradication of smallpox but how VACV interacts with the microbiota and whether this influences the efficacy of vaccination are largely unknown. Here we report that intradermal vaccination with VACV induces a large increase in the number of commensal bacteria in infected tissue, which enhance recruitment of inflammatory cells, promote tissue damage and influence the host response. Treatment of vaccinated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice with antibiotic, or infection of genetically-matched germ-free (GF) animals caused smaller lesions without alteration in virus titre. Tissue da

SUBMITTER: Shmeleva EV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9022886 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature