The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has partnered with Georgia academic institutions to design a probiotic bacteria strain that can boost immune recognition of influenza in warfighters.
The project supports US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) efforts to produce a more effective defense against the flu virus, preventing adverse impacts on military training and readiness.
Under the two-year initiative, experts from USAFSAM, Georgia Tech, and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) will study the integration of influenza cells with a common bacteria found in the human gut microbiome.
The AFRL noted that this method can “stimulate” a greater immune cell response against the flu virus.
GTRI will work with Kennesaw State University on the project’s proof-of-concept phase.
“The idea is we can help the body recognize these pathogens,” USAFSAM Senior Research Biologist Richard Agans explained.
“Instead of treating the symptoms, say with [an over-the-counter decongestant], you might be able to treat it with something like this to aid in the development of an immune response.”
Capsulated Form Possible
AFRL wrote that influenza can increase yearly mortality by 52,000 and lead to “hundreds of thousands” of hospitalizations every year.
The project’s resulting solution could be formulated into a capsule to enhance other flu vaccines and mitigate the wide-scale medical concern, as also found in a study published by GTRI.
“The ultimate goal of where this could lead is augmentation of vaccine efforts where we can, but a potential alternative where necessary,” Agans said.
“We could potentially design and have a prophylactic [to prevent illness] that might be able to help reduce the severity of cases.”
Preventive Application
AFRL emphasized that the study will focus on how the future solution can “augment and strengthen” the human body’s resistance to flu proactively instead of replacing existing flu vaccines and corresponding post-infection treatment.
“It is likely never going to be a replacement for the flu vaccine, given how vaccines work versus how our bodies handle bacteria,” Agans stated.
“I think it’s very much more of a prophylactic, but it’s very novel. We just don’t know yet.”
