This Week in Virology TWiV 1213: Secrets of HepB cccDNA
Apr 27, 2025
Discover the new initiative aimed at countering vaccine misinformation, highlighting the importance of scientific integrity. Explore the adverse effects of antibiotics on gut health and their impact on vaccine responses. Delve deep into molecular mechanisms of hepatitis B, including the role of cccDNA and treatment advances. The discussion also touches on the ethical turmoil of communication in science, the engaging behavior of chimpanzees with fermented fruit, and insights on improving interview techniques amidst rising medical misinformation.
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Gut Microbiome Crucial for Rabies Immunity
- Antibiotic treatment reduces gut bacteria 100-fold and blunts rabies vaccine antibody response in humans.
- This confirms the gut microbiome's critical role in shaping human vaccine immunity.
Antibiotics Shift T Cell Balance
- Antibiotics skew T cell response towards Th1, reducing T follicular helper cells needed for antibody production.
- This immunological shift likely causes the diminished antibody response after microbiome depletion.
Metabolites Link Microbiome and Immunity
- Antibiotics profoundly alter metabolite profiles, especially amino acids and lipids, likely influencing immune responses.
- Metabolites produced by gut bacteria act as mediators linking microbiome changes to immune modulation.