Ménage à trois: Virus, Host, and Microbiota in Experimental Infection Models

Infections of mammals with pathogenic viruses occur mostly in the polymicrobial environment of mucosal surfaces or the skin. In recent years our understanding of immune modulation by the commensal microbiota has increased dramatically. The microbiota is today accepted as the prime educator and maintainer of innate and adaptive immune functions. It became further apparent that some viral pathogens profit from the presence of commensal bacteria and their metabolites, especially in the intestinal tract. We further learned that the composition and abundance of the microbiota can change as a consequence of acute and chronic viral infections. Here we discuss recent developments in our understanding of the triangular relationship of virus, host, and microbiota under experimental infection settings.