STING1 and infectious otitis media: STING might interact with gut bacteria in controlling gut immune homeostasis.Sting-/- mice housed in Helicobacter spp.-SPF showed a lower survival rate, reduced IL-10, and higher colon inflammation upon AOM/DSS treatment. AOM/DSS-induced Sting-/- mice housed in the environment containing Helicobacter spp. had a higher number of polyps, which can be ameliorated by antibiotics treatment.