Influenza in Newborns Disrupts Brain and Gut Health

A new study reveals that influenza A infections in newborn piglets can disrupt both the brain and gut, which is critical for infant development. The research suggests that maternal vaccination during pregnancy could offer a protective effect against these detrimental changes.

Piglet Study Highlights Risks

In a study published in the journal Veterinary Microbiology, scientists observed that infection with the influenza A virus in newborn piglets led to significant disturbances. These included imbalances in the nasal and gut microbiomes. Additionally, the study found potentially harmful alterations in gene activity within the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory.

“Exact quotation with Ying Fang bolded.”

—Ying Fang, Professor

Children under six months face the highest hospitalization risks from the influenza A virus, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infants are particularly vulnerable, with underdeveloped immune systems increasing their susceptibility to severe complications. Research indicates that around 20% of infants diagnosed with the flu will be hospitalized, highlighting the severity of the virus (CDC, 2024).

Vaccination’s Protective Role

The research, led by Ying Fang, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, found that maternal vaccination during pregnancy offered a level of protection for the piglets. The scientists are currently working on producing a new vaccine against the influenza A virus, a version used to vaccinate the pregnant sows in this study.

The study also involved Christopher Gaulke, also a U. of I. professor, who studies the role of the microbiome in health and disease. Adrienne Antonson, a professor of animal sciences at Illinois, contributed her expertise on the prenatal origins of neurodevelopmental disorders. Previous research from Antonson’s lab showed viral infections during pregnancy can affect hippocampal development in piglets.

Microbiome and Brain Development

The microbiome appears to influence normal brain development, according to Gaulke. The team compared alterations in the microbiome and hippocampal gene expression between piglets from vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers, along with a control group. This revealed distinct differences in the piglets’ gut and nasal microbiota following infection.

Gaulke stated, “We knew that influenza infection in pregnancy and in newborns can have negative effects on an infant’s brain function and development, both immediately and later in life.” The study was designed to understand how the microbiome influences hippocampal function during this disease.

Future Research

Further studies are necessary to determine exactly how influenza A infection causes changes in the microbiome. The researchers aim to find out how these changes influence brain health. The findings suggest maternal vaccination can reduce the adverse effects of influenza on the microbiome and hippocampus in offspring.