image: The lower gastrointestinal tract is colonized with large numbers of bacteria, shown in cross-section format in the top images. Treatment with high concentrations of multiple antibiotics reduces bacterial counts in the intestinal tract. After antibiotic treatment, disease induced by the enteric viruses poliovirus and reovirus was significantly reduced. Therefore, these enteric viruses require bacteria for optimal replication and pathogenesis. Images are not to scale. This image relates to the paper by Dr. Kuss and colleagues. This image relates to a paper that appeared in the Oct. 14, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The paper, by Dr. Sharon Kuss of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and colleagues, was titled, "Intestinal Microbiota Promote Enteric Virus Replication and Systemic Pathogenesis." view more
Credit: Image courtesy of Pfeiffer lab