Adapt to survive: the intestinal microbiota promotes viral persistence

Scientists from the Institut Pasteur have identified the original strategy used by bacteriophages, the most abundant viruses in human-associated microbiota, to persist in the gut of mammals. Results demonstrate that bacteriophages take advantage of the diversity of bacteria residing in the intestines to modify their host range in order to withstand in this environment. The role for intestinal bacteriophages as sentinels maintaining or restoring a healthy microbial equilibrium is supported by these results as well as a novel role for the microbiota to facilitate viral persistence.

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