News in Brief Microbes

Vaccines and gut microbes join forces to fight flu

Gastrointestinal bacteria strengthen protection against influenza virus after immunization

bacterium with flagellum

FLAGELLA FORTIFICATION  Bacteria with propulsive tails called flagella bolster immunity in mice after influenza vaccination.

Peggy S. Hayes/CDC

By Nsikan Akpan

- More than 2 years ago

Gut bacteria help vaccines build stronger immunity against influenza in mice, scientists report in the Sept. 18 Immunity.

The partnership may explain why vaccines provide less protection for people living in certain places, such as rural parts of developing countries, says lead author Bali Pulendran, an immunologist at Emory University.