Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a link between zinc deficiency and the development of pneumonia caused by A. baumannii bacteria in mice. Research results It was published In the journal Nature Microbiology.
To find out whether dietary zinc deficiency contributes to poor lung health, researchers conducted an experiment on mice. The animals were placed on a restrictive diet and an attempt was made to induce them to develop acute pneumonia caused by A. baumannii. These bacteria are common in hospital settings as well as in nature. They can colonize the gastrointestinal tract, skin, nasopharynx, conjunctiva, vagina and urethra.
Researchers found that zinc-deficient mice had higher levels of A. baumannii bacteria in their lungs than control groups. The mice developed pneumonia more easily and died from complications. It was also found that A. baumannii spread to the spleens of animals with zinc deficiency.
Additional analysis showed that colonization of the body by bacteria contributes to increased production of the inflammatory protein IL-13. It was this factor that contributed to the deterioration of the animals’ health.
Scientists suggested that the study results may also apply to humans. According to them, blocking IL-13 production may alleviate lung infections.
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