Microbiota helps lung cells prepare for influenza antiviral activity

The Francis Crick Institute have recently demonstrated the beneficial effect of the microbiota on host cell antiviral response to invasion by the influenza virus.  When the microbiota is disturbed by broad-spectrum antibiotics, mice were much more susceptible to serious infections caused by influenza.  Their conclusion was that bacteria in the GI tract signal cells lining the lung using type I interferon to be prepared, thereby preventing the virus from multiplying so quickly.  They found one-third of mice exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to challenge with influenza did not survive.