Longevity & Aging

Gut Bacterium Akkermansia Muciniphila Blocks Salmonella From Sticking to Intestinal Lining

Salmonella Typhimurium is a common food-borne pathogen that causes gastroenteritis. Researchers asked whether Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin-degrading gut bacterium, could protect against it. Using germ-free mice colonized with defined simplified human or mouse microbiota communities, they infected animals with an attenuated Salmonella strain, with or without added A. muciniphila. Mice carrying A. muciniphila had lower Salmonella colonization, milder colitis, better tissue histology, and lower inflammatory cytokines. Live A. muciniphila also reduced Salmonella adhesion to the gut lining in mice and to cultured mucus-producing human epithelial cells. The findings suggest A. muciniphila protects mainly by interfering with pathogen attachment. This is preclinical work in controlled mouse models, so human benefit remains unproven.