- Scientists study gut bacteria in the mouse intestine.
- Some mice then get the flu.
- After the flu, some mice get pneumonia in their lungs.
- One gut bacterium protects mice from severe pneumonia.
- The bacterium changes lung immune cells.
- Immune cells normally remove bacteria from the lungs.
- After flu, these immune cells can stop working well.
- With the bacterium, immune cells keep fighting bacteria.
- Protected mice survive serious infections more often.
- Scientists hope this idea helps medicine later.
Difficult words
- bacterium — a single tiny germ found in the bodybacteria
- intestine — a long tube in the body that digests food
- pneumonia — a serious infection in the lungs that hurts breathing
- immune — related to the body's defense against germs and disease
- infection — when germs enter the body and make you sickinfections
- protect — to keep someone or something safe from harmprotects, Protected
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever had the flu?
- Do you think bacteria can help animals?
- Would you like to learn more about medicine?
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