The gut microbiota plays a protective role in the host defence against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Tim J SchuijtJacqueline M LankelmaBrendon P SciclunaFelipe de Sousa e MeloJoris J T H RoelofsJ Daan de BoerArjan J HoogendijkRegina de BeerAlex de VosClara BelzerWillem M de VosTom van der PollWillem Joost WiersingaPublished in: Gut (2015)
This study identifies the intestinal microbiota as a protective mediator during pneumococcal pneumonia. The gut microbiota enhances primary alveolar macrophage function. Novel therapeutic strategies could exploit the gut-lung axis in bacterial infections.