The research demonstrates that certain bacterial communities can boost the immune system’s ability to clear viruses, but this enhanced response may also intensify disease symptoms. Dr. Caspar Ohnmacht explained, “This research illustrates that while certain gut bacteria can support the immune system in fighting viruses, they may also intensify disease symptoms. Our approach to reduce the complexity of the gut microbiome will help to identify specific metabolites that shape the immune response and will hopefully open new avenues for improving therapies by targeting the microbiome.”
By deepening our understanding of how gut bacteria shape immune responses, the research lays the foundation for future studies exploring microbiome-based strategies to prevent and treat a wide range of diseases.