Researchers find how specific gut bacteria increase risk of severe malaria

Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine have found that certain species of gut bacteria are linked to an increased risk of severe malaria in humans and mice. These findings could lead to the development of new techniques to prevent severe malaria and its associated mortality. The researchers discovered that mice and children with severe malaria had specific species of Bacteroides in their intestines. They plan to continue studying the link between gut bacteria and malaria by working with a larger cohort of children with the disease.