Archives des Immune Health

Microbiome disruptions could explain HIV-exposed babies’ increased risk of morbidity and mortality

19 Sep 2016

by Andreu Prados

It is already known that a reduction in gut microbial richness is the hallmark change of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but how this dysbiosis is established in the HIV-exposed uninfected infant is poorly understood. A recent cross-sectional study, led by Dr. Grace M. Aldrovandi from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in Los Angeles (USA), suggests that perturbations in the infant gut microbiome may explain the greater risk of morbidity and mortality in uninfected babies born to HIV-positive mothers.

Could the gut microbiota be a new potential target for multiple sclerosis treatment and prevention?

29 Aug 2016

by Andreu Prados

A recent study, led by Dr. Ashutosh Mangalam, assistant professor of pathology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City (USA), has found that gut microbiota changes may contribute to the disease course of multiple sclerosis.

Butyrate may have a protective effect in the development of type 1 diabetes

8 Aug 2016

by Andreu Prados

It has been previously reported that the gut microbiota could be involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. A recent study, led by Dr. Wolfgang zu Castell from the Scientific Computing Research Unit at Helmholtz Zentrum München in Munich (Germany) has found that butyrate may have a protective effect in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.

Diet could help fight the problem of antibiotic resistance

27 Jul 2016

by Andreu Prados

A recent study, led by Dr. Menghui Zhang from the State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China), has shown that gut resistome of obese children is reduced after a dietary intervention.

Novel strategies for tackling bacterial resistance to antibiotics

11 Jul 2016

by Andreu Prados

Inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens, such as Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacteriaceae, which justifies the search for alternative clinical approaches.

The role of gut microbiota in host responses to cancer immunotherapy

8 Jul 2016

by Andreu Prados

A recent commentary in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, written by Dr. Susan E. Erdman from the Division of Comparative Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge (USA), has covered the role of microbial strategies in cancer prevention and remission.

Do probiotics have an impact on systemic and mucosal immune responses in athletes?

4 Jul 2016

by Andreu Prados

A recent study, led by Dr. Rajna Minic from the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera in Belgrade (Serbia), has found that probiotic administration could have beneficial effects on athletes’ immune response.

New insights into the role of gut microbiota in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus

23 Jun 2016

by Andreu Prados

A new study, led by Dr. Ana Suárez from the Department of Functional Biology at Faculty of Medicine in the University of Oviedo (Asturias, Spain), has found that intestinal microbiota changes promote a pro-inflammatory environment in SLE patients.

Mouse study shows maternal microbiota shapes offspring’s immune system

18 May 2016

by Andreu Prados

A recent study, led by Prof. Andrew Macpherson from the University of Bern (Switzerland), has found in mice that maternal microbiota and immunity strengthen the immune system of the newborn.

Inhibiting age-related inflammation maintains a healthy microbiota and contributes to a longer lifespan in flies

7 Mar 2016

by Andreu Prados

A new study, led by Professor Heinrich Jasper from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato (USA), has found that inhibiting age-related inflammation maintains a healthy gut microbiota and extends lifespan in flies.