Rectal Microbes Influence Effectiveness of HIV Vaccine (IMAGE)

University of California - Davis

Rectal Microbes Influence Effectiveness of HIV Vaccine

Caption

Microbes living in the rectum could make a difference to the effectiveness of experimental HIV vaccines, according to researchers at UC Davis. A vaccine similar to HVTN 111 given to rhesus macaques induced stronger local antibody responses in animals with higher levels of Lactobacillus or Clostridia bacteria in the rectum. The findings suggest that the microbiome could make a difference especially with vaccines that do not produce particularly strong responses overall. Photo shows rhesus macaques at the California National Primate Research Center at UC Davis.

Credit

CNPRC photo.

Usage Restrictions

May be used with acknowledgement.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.