Bacteria in the mouth linked to pulmonary fibrosis survival.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia suggests that bacteria in the mouth may play a role in the survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The study found that a specific bacterial species, Streptococcus mitis, tended to dominate in certain IPF patients who were not treated with antibiotics. These patients had better lung function, less severe disease, and a higher likelihood of survival. The researchers plan to conduct further studies to understand the link between oral and lung microbiomes and IPF. [Extracted from the article]