Lung bacteria defend against pneumonia

Microscopy image of lung sections of mice. Commensal bacteria are stained in red-pink colours and lung cells are coloured in purple/gray. UNIGE/Schmolke - Commensal bacteria confer a prominent protective role against invading bacterial in mucosal surfaces, the major entry port for microbial pathogens. A research team of UNIGE shows that probiotics could be an alternative to antibiotics for treating respiratory illnesses. In healthy organisms, commensal bacteria, which live inside the host without harming it, provide a competitive barrier against invading bacterial pathogens. A research team of the University of Genva (UNIGE), studied the role of lung microbiota against Pneumococcus colonisation, an important human pathogen responsible for many co-infections associated with flu. UNIGE's researchers had previously reported that a significant amount of Lactobacillus bacteria, which are known to act as antimicrobials and immune system modulators, exist in the lung microbiota of healthy mice.