1288-Antibiotics Drive Infant Gut Malassezia Expansion

Paper Talk · Jul 16, 2026 · 24m

This research study explores how antibiotic use in infants disrupts the gut microbiome, specifically leading to an expansion of the fungus Malassezia. While the impact of antibiotics on bacteria is well-documented, the authors demonstrate that fungal overgrowth acts as a critical, overlooked factor in immune dysregulation. Using gnotobiotic mouse models, the researchers found that colonization with Malassezia restricta alters the bacterial landscape and triggers heightened airway inflammation in response to allergens and viral infections. These immune shifts are partially driven by…