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. 2021 Jan 26;14(2):296–304. doi: 10.1038/s41385-020-00361-8

Fig. 1. The role of the gut microbiota in viral respiratory infections.

Fig. 1

Factors released by a healthy gut microbiota arm the lungs against viral respiratory infections. In contrast, antibiotic treatment disturbs the ecological equilibrium in the gut and alters the lung’s defenses. Aging and co-morbidities are also associated with altered gut microbiota function and enhanced susceptibility to respiratory infections.