The composition of intestinal flora can predict the risk of serious infections like pneumonia. A study by researchers from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Turku followed 10,000 people for 6 years, with over 600 developing infections due to less healthy gut flora. Those hospitalized for infection had fewer butyrate-producing bacteria, important for the immune system. Butyrate may reduce infection risk, highlighting the role of gut microbiome in infections beyond the gut. Further research is needed to determine how to increase butyrate levels to prevent serious infections. The study was published in The Lancet Microbe and opens doors for personalized infection risk assessment.
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Less healthy intestinal flora could increase the risk of serious infection
